Efforts to cut pregnancy-related illnesses renewed

Health Reporter
A global programme on maternal and child health implemented in the country for the past three years has renewed its commitment and intensified its efforts to reduce pregnancy-related illnesses and deaths for another three years. Announcing the new commitment in Harare recently, Maternal and Child Health Integrated Programme chief of party Professor Rose Kambarami said they would now expand their scope from Mutare and Chimanimani to other districts in Manicaland province.

Prof Kambarami said with funding from USAID, health institutions in seven Manicaland districts would receive training on emergency obstetric care, and mothers would be encouraged to deliver in health institutions.

“Although the country’s maternal mortality ratio is improving, we shouldn’t be complacent because we have national targets to achieve in 2015,” said Prof Kambarami.

She said for that reason, there is need for partner organisations to re-double efforts to reduce numbers of women dying during childbirth.
“Focus should not be on developing new strategies but should be on accelerating existing strategies,” she said.

Under the new commitment, USAID availed US$15 million.
In partnership with the Health and Child Care Ministry, the programme focuses on increasing access to high-quality health services for mothers, babies and children.

US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Bruce Wharton, “Through the provision of financial and technical support, the US government is committed to working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to save the lives of Zimbabwe’s mothers, newborns and children,” he said.

Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa applauded the partnership, saying it has contributed to a reduction in cases of mothers who die while giving birth.

“We appreciate USAID/MCHIP’s collaborative approach and are excited for our good relationship to continue through the extension of the new three-year award that USAID and MCHIP have just signed,” he said.

According to the 2012 National Census Report, Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality ratio has declined from about 10 women dying every day to about five.