By Eugenie Muchetu
Harare (New Ziana) – The pain of losing their vibrant 21-year-old daughter, Chipo, continues to haunt the Masango family of Gweru in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe.
Chipo died just two days after giving birth, a tragedy that has left an indelible mark on her loved ones. Unfortunately, her story is not unique; every day in Zimbabwe, four families endure similar heartbreaks as the maternal mortality rate remains alarmingly high. Pregnancy and childbirth should be joyous occasions, yet for many in Zimbabwe, they are fraught with anxiety.
Current statistics indicate a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 363 deaths per 100 000 live births, as highlighted in the latest Population and Housing Census. This translates to four women losing their lives every single day due to childbirth-related complications.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines maternal mortality as the annual number of deaths of women during or shortly after pregnancy, primarily due to complications arising from pregnancy or its management and childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy.
The leading causes include haemorrhage, infections, hypertensive disorders, and lack of access to skilled healthcare professionals. For women of reproductive age (15-49 years), complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of death and disability. For the Masango family, the agony stems from the belief that Chipo’s death could have been prevented.
After experiencing postpartum complications at a major public health facility in the Midlands city, her family feels that timely medical intervention could have saved her life. Sadly, many families share this pain, while others are fortunate enough to have living grandchildren as reminders of their lost daughter, the Masangos are not so fortunate as they also lost their grandchild.
Recent findings from the 2022 Housing and Population Census highlight that while Zimbabwe’s MMR has improved from 651 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2010 to 363 in 2022, the situation remains critical.
UNFPA coordinator Abbigail Msemburi recently stated at a National Aids Council workshop in Chinhoyi in Mashonaland West Province, that most maternal deaths are preventable with access to essential healthcare provided by skilled professionals. Despite the daunting statistics, progress has been made.
UNFPA Country Representative, Miranda Tabifor, noted the significant reduction in maternal mortality is a result of collaborative efforts involving UNFPA, the Government of Zimbabwe, and other partners.
The Health Resilience Fund (HRF) programme, supported by the governments of Britain, Ireland, and the European Union, has been pivotal in these advancements. Tabifor explained:
“This is a major achievement, driven by investments aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s health system. Our holistic approach focuses on enhancing Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) services, including procuring vital equipment and training healthcare personnel.”
UNFPA and partners have provided through the HRF over US$9.2 million in medical equipment and supplies to maternity and neonatal units across the country. This equipment can be the difference between life and death for mothers during childbirth.
Now, 95 percent of health facilities offer Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC) services, and a significant percentage are equipped for more complex procedures, including Caesarean sections.
In rural areas, where the maternal mortality rate tends to be higher, the investment in healthcare is especially crucial. In 2023, UNFPA’s initiatives supported over 416,000 deliveries nationwide, including approximately 42,800 Caesarean sections—an indication of improved access to essential health services.
To further enhance care, UNFPA is implementing mentorship and training programmes for healthcare workers specializing in emergency obstetric and neonatal care. These initiatives are vital in addressing high staff attrition rates and improving the skills of doctors, midwives, and nurses. However, cultural and religious practices also contribute to the high maternal mortality rate in Zimbabwe.
Some expectant mothers avoid healthcare facilities or refuse necessary medical procedures due to their religious beliefs. A tragic example is Prophet Ishmael’s Canaan Cult, which discouraged members from seeking medical attention, resulting in numerous undocumented deaths.
One nurse recounted an instance where a woman died because her husband refused her an essential blood transfusion due to their religious beliefs.
Globally, WHO reported that in 2020, a maternal death occurred nearly every two minutes, with 800 women dying daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. While the global maternal mortality rate has declined by 34 percent between 2000 and 2020, significant challenges remain, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
In Africa, the maternal mortality rate in 2020 was 531 deaths per 100 000 live births, accounting for 69 percent of global maternal deaths. To meet the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal deaths to 70 per 100 000 live births by 2030, countries must reduce their MMR by at least 20.3 percent annually.
While Zimbabwe has made strides in reducing maternal mortality, the pace must accelerate to meet the 2025 target of 240 deaths per 100 00 live births and align with the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Ensuring that no woman dies during childbirth is not just a goal—it’s a moral imperative that requires urgent attention and action from all stakeholders involved in maternal healthcare.
New Ziana
