Chikwaka villagers to build maternity shelters

their resources at a local maternity clinic.
The villagers have so far contributed more than US$1 000 after each family contributed a dollar.

“After realising that home and road side deliveries are still a cause for concern in our area, as the Health Community Care, we decided to built maternity waiting shelters,” said chairman of the HCC, Mr Everisto Mupambawatya.

The HCC comprise of community members and officials from the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), which is the brain behind the committee.
“Our target was US$2 500, but we managed to collect US$1 080, which went towards the purchase of 40 000 bricks and other ancillary costs,” Mr Mupambawatya said.
The ground breaking ceremony was officiated by Headman Clemence Chihuri on behalf of Chief Chikwaka.

The mother’s shelters, whose model is the first of its kind in the country, comprise of two-four bedded wards, a three-bed nursery, a labour ward and a rest room.
Headman Chihuri said that the distance between homes and their health centre was making it difficult for pregnant women to give birth under skilled supervision. “I hope this noble gesture will go a long way in bringing down the number of home deliveries,” he said.

Mwanza Health Centre sister-in-charge Mr Dibion Viano said they were recording a high number of both institutional and home deliveries in the area.
He said in 2010, they recorded a total of 154 institutional births and 42 home deliveries.

Mr Viano said in 2011, they recorded 215 institutional births and 24 home deliveries.
“We really appreciate this noble gesture, especially that it is complimenting Government’s efforts of bringing basic health care close to the people,” he said.

“It is also in line with global targets of reducing maternal mortality rates.” The maternal mortality rate for Zimbabwe stands at 725 per every 1 000 live births.
Sister Viano appealed for assistance in bringing tap water to the clinic, saying they were relying on a borehole, which is occasionally down.
He also lamented on staff accommodation and a facelift of the clinic’s buildings.
CWGH executive director Mr Itai Rusike said although his organisation was committed to financially assisting the villagers when funding gaps arose.
He said there was need for other partners to come in as well for the project to be a success.

“Although we will be supporting what Chikwaka is doing when there are funding gaps, let us continue fund raising for this project,” said Mr Rusike.
“This is a huge project which needs more players.”