US$1,5m contraceptives procured

Karen Mhlanga

VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Health and Child Care Minister, said the Government is prioritising increasing modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) for all women in Zimbabwe.

Officiating at the South-South Cooperation and the International Conference on Population Development in Thailand, VP Chiwenga said the Government had procured contraceptive commodities worth US$1,5 million.

“I am happy to share with you that in 2022, the modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate for all women stands at 52 percent, an increase from 50 percent in 2020. Seventy percent of all our health service delivery points have a trained cadre to offer Long Acting and Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs).

“Regarding maternal morbidity and mortality, Zimbabwe is working relentlessly to achieve zero preventable maternal deaths and maternal morbidities. Let me emphasise that no woman should die while giving birth.

“Zimbabwe is experiencing a continuous downward trend in maternal mortality rate from 614 in 2014 to 462 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2019.”

He said whereas these figures remain unacceptably high, it was pleasing that the country continues to consolidate the gains realised so far.

“My Ministry is implementing strategies to address the causes of maternal mortality which include, delay in making decisions to seek health care, delay in accessing health facilities and delay in getting appropriate care.

“In a bid to increase access to delivery in health institutions, Zimbabwe removed maternity fees in government health facilities for pregnant women. In addition, all fees in relation to access to blood and blood products have been in public health facilities with the Government absorbing all these costs.

“Currently, we are in the process of upgrading our health facilities and constructing new clinics with theatre facilities. Our recently developed National Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthesia Strategy (2022 – 2025) will guide the re-tooling of our hospitals to improve provision of quality surgical services.”

He said one of the country’s major achievements resides in the legislative framework, which finalised the alignment of laws pertaining to marriages such as the Marriage Act.

This shows commitment to zero gender-based violence. He indicated that Zimbabwe had increased funding for comprehensive multi-sectoral services for survivors of GBV from $63 billion in 2021 to $141 billion this year.