The Informal Healthcare Sector: A Short Report on Maternal Medicine in Urban Côte d'Ivoire

In urban Côte d'Ivoire, the informal healthcare sector is a significant provider of maternal health services, yet it remains poorly documented. This sector includes unlicensed pharmacies, traditional birth attendants, and itinerant medicine vendors. This short report aims to describe the characteristics and functions of the informal maternal healthcare sector in selected urban areas of Côte d'Ivoire. It outlines the types of services offered and the reasons for their utilisation by pregnant women and new mothers. The report synthesises findings from a narrative review of grey literature, non-governmental organisation reports, and available qualitative studies. It analyses descriptive data on service provision patterns and client perspectives. The informal sector is a primary first point of contact for many women, particularly for perceived minor ailments and culturally-specific care. A prominent theme was the provision of herbal concoctions and injectable medicines, often administered without formal diagnosis. Accessibility, affordability, and cultural familiarity were key drivers of use. The informal maternal healthcare sector in urban Côte d'Ivoire is deeply embedded within the community health ecosystem. It addresses gaps in formal service provision but operates with limited regulatory oversight, presenting potential risks to maternal safety. Public health initiatives should engage with informal providers. Recommendations include exploring training and referral linkage programmes, and increasing community awareness of danger signs requiring formal care. Informal healthcare, maternal health, urban health, Côte d'Ivoire, traditional medicine, health-seeking behaviour This report consolidates fragmented information to provide a structured overview of the informal maternal health sector in urban Côte d'Ivoire, highlighting its role and the need for integrative public health approaches.