Expecting mothers urged to use healthcare facilities

Conrad Mupesa
Mash West Bureau
Expecting mothers should make use of healthcare facilities to minimise loss of life, Mhangura legislator, Cde Precious Chinhamo-Masango, has said.

Chinhamo-Masango said this following the death of Sarudzai Muza on Monday last week, due to post-partum haemorrhage (heavy bleeding after giving birth).

The late Muza, of Impala Downs Farm in Ward 1, Mhangura, got into labour on her way to Greenvalley Clinic which is about 10km away, and gave birth to twin bouncing baby girls who weighed 2,3kg and 2,4kg.

But she bled profusely after the successful delivery and was pronounced dead on arrival at the clinic.

WhatsApp messages that circulated on social media in the area said the late Muza delayed leaving for the clinic because the exit gate at the farm was locked.

But farm owner, Mr Christopher Atchison, dismissed the allegations.

The twin babies are under the care of their maternal relative, Ms Yeukai Karembera, who said the children were in need of formula milk, soap, clothes and other items.

Cde Chinhamo-Masango rose to the occasion and provided the girls with milk, washing powder, soap and petroleum jelly.

She advised citizens to emulate First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, who supports vulnerable societies.

“As a local legislator, I saw it fit to support the innocent children with some of their needs,” she said.

Cde Chinhamo-Masango promised to provide further support to the children.

She urged all expecting mothers to use Mothers’ Shelters available at all clinics, and the constituency’s referral health institution, Makonde Christian Hospital, to prevent the loss of life.

“Expecting mothers should always make use of the health care facilities and personnel that we have,” she said. “While the unfortunate incident that led to the death of the woman is regrettable, I would also want to encourage pregnant women to have periodic checks to avoid maternity related deaths.”

A Mother’s Shelter is accommodation provided to expecting mothers, particularly from faraway places.

Once women get to the eighth month of their pregnancy, some move to clinics and stay in the shelters until they give birth.

That has resulted in a considerable reduction in maternity deaths.