adminHospitals detain mothers over maternity fees
Prosper Ndlovu
PUBLIC hospitals and clinics continue to detain mothers and deny them their babies’ birth confirmation records over maternity fees despite the scrapping of the charges by the Government, a survey has revealed.
According to Justice for Children Trust, a children’s rights organisation, some health institutions in Bulawayo are demanding user fees from mothers after delivery with those who fail to settle the bills reportedly being denied birth confirmation records or detained.
The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare announced the scrapping of maternity fees at public health institutions last year in a bid to make maternity services accessible to more women including the poor.
Justice for Children Trust’s child protection and development officer Mr Admire Mandizvidza said at least 20 cases of detained mothers were reported in Bulawayo every month.
He said detaining mothers and denying them birth confirmation records was a violation of the child’s rights.
Mr Mandizvidza said it was disturbing that while Government has made significant progress in making health institutions accessible to people including those in rural areas, some centres were opposing the move.