Shun home deliveries, mums-to-be urged

EXPECTING mothers should book for antenatal care at formal health centres early to reduce maternal deaths through early detection and prevention of pregnancy-related challenges and complications, an official has said.

Speaking at the first quarter provincial developmental review meeting, Manicaland provincial social welfare officer Mrs Charity Ndadzungira encouraged women to deliver at decent health facilities to reduce maternal mortality.

“Pregnant women require supervision and it is important that they avoid backyard deliveries at all costs, as there are serious health and safety risks in home delivery procedures,” she said.

Mrs Ndadzungira expressed concern over the rise in home deliveries, which places both the mother and child at risk, as home environments were considered unsafe for deliveries.

“Hospitals generally have facilities that can help pregnant women cope in the event of emergencies to save lives, while resources like critical drugs and equipment to enhance safe deliveries are also available,” she said.

The rise in home deliveries, she said, was an indication of failure by most women to access health care due to various reasons, which include financial constraints and the inaccessibility of some health facilities due to distance, religious beliefs and culture.

Provincial medical director Dr Patron Mafaune urged women to register for antenatal care facilities at formal health centres early so that they can benefit from the range of services available at hospitals.

“Women require ongoing education and training to improve their health and nutritional levels and they can receive this at formal health facilities through healthcare programmes offered at hospitals during and after pregnancy,” he said.

Dr Mafaune noted the role played by healthcare facilities in preventing diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, sexually transmitted infections and, most importantly, preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission.

She said stakeholders should take the initiative to protect women during pregnancy through effective programming and standardisation of health services in the province.

Programming, she said, could help create informed women who were aware of the risks and challenges of pregnancy.