Concern over rise in maternal deaths

GOVERNMENT officials in Mashonaland West have expressed concern over the increasing rates of maternal deaths in the province since the beginning of the year.

Twenty-three women have died while giving birth in Mashonaland West since the start of the year, an increase from 18 deaths during the same period last year.

In an interview, the Ministry of Health and Child Care provincial health promotion officer in Mashonaland West, Mr George Kambondo, attributed the deaths to excessive bleeding and delays in checking into health facilities.

He, however, said Government had established waiting shelters for expecting mothers in some areas across the province to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

“Hospitals like Makonde District Hospital in Mhangura has a waiting mother’s shelter and Government is working on such establishments at most of the health institutions,” he said.

In 2017, 48 women died while giving birth in the province.

“Chegutu district recorded the highest number of deaths with 17 followed by Hurungwe with 10 while Makonde recorded nine cases,” he said.

Mr Kambondo said Government had also embarked on a deliberate move to strengthen primary health care through training more people in the health sector including midwives.

He said traditional birth attendants had reduced due to technological demands of making pregnancies and child birth safer.

“We are encouraging women to visit established health centres, which are clinics and hospitals. Seeking medical attention from home aides is risking precious life,” he said.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa recently revealed that Government has recognised the shortage of critical infrastructure such as ambulances in rural health centres as a contributory factor to maternal related deaths in rural areas.