adminThandeka Moyo in Lupane
LUPANE district has recorded 195 home births since January, and health officials say this is being replicated in other poor rural communities countrywide, driving up the country’s maternal mortality rate.Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality stands at 960 per 100,000 births, according to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey 2012 and projections show that it will be difficult for the country to halve maternal mortality rate as envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals.
Speaking during a media tour organised by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the European Union at St Luke’s Hospital in Lupane yesterday, Dr Nkazimulo Tshuma the acting district medical officer, said there was still need to raise awareness on the dangers of home deliveries.
“We recorded 195 home deliveries from January to September and the figure is too high. Our road network is very bad in the district and though we have a total population of about 103,393, we only have four ambulances and our farthest area is about three hours away from us,” said Dr Tshuma.
She urged communities to take an active role in ensuring that women sought medical attention during and after pregnancy to reduce maternal mortality.
“Despite efforts by our donors to construct maternity waiting homes for pregnant women, some still choose to give birth at home. So far the number one cause of maternal deaths is haemorrhage and we encourage pregnant women to seek medical attention than put their lives and that of unborn babies at risk.”
Dr Tshuma said there were three delays hindering the reduction of maternal mortality which include knowledge of the importance of seeking medical attention while pregnant, transportation to the nearest health institution and the services offered at the health institution.
The EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Phillipe Van Dame said he was glad women in Lupane could access shelter and food while awaiting delivery as it reduced maternal mortality.
“We discovered that the Maternal Waiting Home had a capacity of accommodating 29 women at a time despite the fact that there are about 194 admissions at a time. We managed to source funds and now the place can accommodate about 100 women,” said Ambassador Dame.
Cabangile Ndlovu, who is due to deliver her second child, commended the ministry and donor partners.
“I was here in 2004 when I was expecting my first baby. We used to walk long distances and there was no accommodation. I was happy when I came back and realised that we’ve more dormitories, more beds, food and toilets. I’m sure this will motivate more women to come and deliver in hospital,” said Ndlovu.
St Luke’s Mission Hospital is located in Lupane district, about 160km from Bulawayo.
A baseline study conducted in 2013 showed that pregnant women were sleeping in the open due to an acute accommodation shortage as there is high demand in the hospital.
The study also noted that teenage pregnancy was a challenge among school drop-outs and that teenagers constitute a large number of pregnant mothers who are taken care of at the maternal waiting homes.
Pregnant mothers were also bringing their own food to the maternity waiting home and that often compromised their nutrition.
Online Reporter