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Speaking on the sidelines of a Zimbabwe Aids Network Workshop at Midlands State University in Gweru on Wednesday, Dr Stamps said the recent introduction of free maternity services would worsen the country’s maternal mortality rate, which he said was already at disturbing levels.
“What I have realised is that these politicians who are appointed ministers are so enthusiastic about announcing policies that are not feasible in the long run,” said Dr Stamps.
“The recent announcement by the Ministry of Health that they have scrapped hospital maternity fees is one of the worst blunders. That is not realistic in our country especially considering that our health delivery system was now beginning to pick.”
Dr Stamps said offering free maternity services by the Government hospitals and clinics would result in all those health institutions running out of resources, thereby compromising services.
“Even highly developed countries have tried to offer this free maternity service, but it later backfired. Sweden for example, tried it sometime but it only lasted for six months. What more in our country, which is just coming from a difficult period, we cannot afford to provide quality services for free,” he said.
Dr Stamps said the Government risked getting back to a situation whereby mothers would die while giving birth if the situation of free maternity services was allowed to stay.
“Yes we all agree that mothers and newly born babies are precious for the future of the country. But with limited resources, offering free maternity services will only serve to worsen the maternal mortality rate just because if you don’t pay anything, you will as well get nothing in terms of services,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Stamps said modern technologies and high sexual activity in young generations stood as a stumbling block in the quest to reduce HIV and Aids infections in Zimbabwe and the world over.
Addressing the workshop, Dr Stamps said there was rampant unprotected sexual activity among the younger generation the world over, a situation which he said had resulted in all efforts to combat the disease proving to be a nightmare.
“Sexual intercourse is performed in every country in the world except the Holy See. UNFPA estimates that there are 317 145 000 sexual acts worldwide each day. Efforts to fight the HIV and Aids pandemic have also been made complex by that unlike previous generations where there was shyness about any talk of the act, the pendulum has now swung in the other direction as we now talk about sex as if it’s another thing like a loaf of bread or chocolate,” he said.
Dr Stamps said modern technologies that have also resulted in young generations diverging from their culture and embracing modern day way of living had also resulted in the spread of HIV and Aids pandemic.
“With these new communication platforms and gadgets, we have seen the rise of the popular game of what is called sexting, not texting. This type of technology has exposed young people to the wrong information,” he said.
Online Reporter