Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve [email protected]
MATABELELAND North, Matabeleland South, and Bulawayo Metropolitan provinces recorded the lowest number of deliveries and maternal and neonatal deaths in 2025, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora has revealed.
Presenting provincial statistics in Parliament on Wednesday, Dr Mombeshora disclosed that Matabeleland North recorded 18 616 deliveries with 175 neonatal deaths and 15 maternal deaths, while Matabeleland South had 17 094 deliveries, 158 neonatal deaths, and 16 maternal deaths.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province recorded 20 649 deliveries, 624 neonatal deaths, and 61 maternal deaths.
In contrast, Harare Metropolitan Province, the country’s most populous recorded the highest figures with 84 756 deliveries, 2 205 neonatal deaths, and 190 maternal deaths.
Manicaland Province followed with 47 942 deliveries, 493 neonatal deaths, and 53 maternal deaths, while Midlands Province recorded 46 770 deliveries, 741 neonatal deaths, and 78 maternal deaths.
Mashonaland West Province had 54 283 deliveries, 594 neonatal deaths, and 55 maternal deaths.
Mashonaland Central recorded 43 467 deliveries, 434 neonatal deaths, and 42 maternal deaths, while Mashonaland East had 38 991 deliveries, 368 neonatal deaths, and 34 maternal deaths.
Masvingo Province recorded 37 483 deliveries, 385 neonatal deaths, and 19 maternal deaths.
Nationally, Zimbabwe recorded 410 051 total deliveries, with 6 177 neonatal deaths and 563 maternal deaths.
The maternal mortality ratio stands at approximately 137 per 100 000 live births, a significant improvement from the 212 recorded previously.
Dr Mombeshora attributed the lower figures in Matabeleland to the Second Republic’s targeted interventions, including the rehabilitation of health infrastructure and deployment of equipment.
“On infrastructure, we are rehabilitating our infrastructure, especially in the rural areas from the clinic level to the district level. We have actually renovated most of our theatres and then bringing in equipment,” said Dr Mombeshora.
He revealed that the Government has procured more than 43 new anaesthetic machines for district hospitals to enable caesarean sections, reducing maternal mortality. Neonatal resuscitators have also been deployed, and mothers’ waiting shelters constructed to address transport challenges.
The major causes of maternal deaths are postpartum haemorrhage and infections, while neonatal deaths are primarily due to birth asphyxia and infections.
The Government continues to expand training capacity to boost the health workforce. The midwifery eligibility period has been reduced from two years to one year to accelerate skilled personnel deployment.
Through these comprehensive interventions, the Second Republic remains committed to further reducing maternal and neonatal mortality across all provinces as part of Vision 2030.
