Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa’s sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, equipment and human capital development under the Second Republic are beginning to deliver measurable results, with Zimbabwe recording a significant decline in maternal mortality as Government intensifies efforts to ensure no woman or child dies from preventable causes.
The latest national statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care show that the country’s maternal mortality ratio has declined sharply from 212 to 137 deaths per 100 000 live births, reflecting the positive impact of wide-ranging reforms being implemented under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
The improvements come as Government continues implementing the Health Resilience Fund, the National Health Strategy (2021-2025), the NDS2 and Vision 2030, which place universal access to quality healthcare and strengthened maternal and child health services among the country’s key development priorities.
Presenting the 2025 provincial maternal and neonatal statistics on Wednesday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr
Douglas Mombeshora said Zimbabwe recorded 410 051 deliveries, 563 maternal deaths and 6 177 neonatal deaths.
“When we report maternal deaths, we report per 100,000 live births. If you divide 400 000 by 563, you can see that we have gone down from the 212 that was reported last year. It means we have done much better. We are improving,” he said.
The neonatal mortality rate now stands at approximately 15 deaths per 1 000 live births, another indication that interventions introduced under the Second Republic are beginning to produce positive outcomes.
The decline follows unprecedented Government investment in district hospitals, rural clinics, medical equipment, specialist training and emergency referral systems as Zimbabwe works towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the health targets outlined under Sustainable Development Goal Three (SDG 3), which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.
Dr Mombeshora said postpartum haemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal deaths, followed by infections, while birth asphyxia and neonatal infections continue to account for most newborn deaths.
“Some of them delay getting to the appropriate institution where they can get help. By the time they get there, it will be a bit late to save the mother and the child,” he said.
The minister said many of these deaths could be prevented through timely access to emergency obstetric care, particularly caesarean sections.
To address these challenges, Government has adopted what the minister described as a multi-pronged approach, targeting infrastructure, equipment, human resources and referral systems simultaneously.
“We have a multi-pronged attack to this problem. Firstly, we deal with infrastructure and equipment. Secondly, we deal with the health workforce and then thirdly, we deal with the referral system,” said Dr Mombeshora.
“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 brought in equipment.”
One of the flagship interventions under President Mnangagwa’s health sector modernisation programme has been the upgrading of district hospitals to perform life-saving emergency surgeries closer to communities.
Government has installed more than 43 new anaesthetic machines at district hospitals over the past year, enabling doctors to carry out emergency caesarean sections and reducing delays that previously forced expectant mothers to travel long distances for specialised care.
“We have actually put in, over the last year, more than 43 new anaesthetic machines to enable our doctors in those district hospitals to perform caesarean sections to reduce maternal mortality and also to have improved outcomes of the neonates,” said Dr Mombeshora.
District hospitals have also received neonatal resuscitation equipment to improve the survival chances of babies experiencing breathing complications immediately after birth.
Recognising that transport delays remain one of the major contributors to maternal deaths, Government has expanded the construction of mothers’ waiting shelters at rural health centres, allowing expectant mothers from remote communities to stay close to health facilities before delivery.
The Second Republic has equally prioritised investment in human capital development, one of the key pillars of NDS2.
Government has doubled Registered General Nurse (RGN) training intakes since 2023 while opening new nursing schools in Binga, Maphisa and Chimhanda, whose first intakes are expected next year.
“We have increased our training, starting with the RGN intakes which we have now doubled since 2023 and we continue opening new training schools,” said Dr Mombeshora.
To accelerate the deployment of skilled midwives, the waiting period before nurses qualify for midwifery training has also been reduced from two years to one year.
In addition, Treasury has approved 5 000 new health posts to strengthen staffing levels across the country’s health institutions.
The decentralisation of specialist services is already transforming healthcare delivery.
A fully equipped surgical theatre has been commissioned at Mhondoro Rural Hospital, complete with an anaesthetic machine, theatre bed and neonatal resuscitation equipment, bringing emergency obstetric care closer to rural communities.
At the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Government has established a new maternity theatre that is now performing more than 300 caesarean sections every month, easing pressure on referral hospitals while improving maternal and newborn survival rates.
The latest provincial figures show that Harare Metropolitan Province recorded the highest number of deliveries at 84 756, with 2 205 neonatal deaths and 190 maternal deaths.
Manicaland recorded 47 942 deliveries, 493 neonatal deaths and 53 maternal deaths, while Midlands Province registered 46 770 deliveries, 741 neonatal deaths and 78 maternal deaths.
The positive trajectory reinforces the Second Republic’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and people-centred health system as Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030.
Through sustained investment in infrastructure, modern equipment, expanded training institutions and strengthened emergency obstetric services, Government is laying the foundation for a healthcare system capable of significantly reducing preventable maternal and neonatal deaths while improving the quality of life for all citizens.
