Zimbabwe has recorded 378 maternal deaths between January and December 2020.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said 66 cases were recorded from home deliveries and 312 were recorded from health care facilities.
“Maternal Mortality Situation in Zimbabwe: January 2020 to December 2020 shows that there were 378 maternal deaths (66 at home and 312 at health facilities).
” Top 5 causes of maternal deaths are: 1)Bleeding after giving birth (26%); 2) Hypertensive Diseases (16%) (High blood pressure which leads to violent fits during pregnancy); 3) Puerperal Sepsis (10%) – fever & pain due to infection of the genital tract of a woman that occurs, from the breaking of the waters (rapture of the membrane) or labour up to 42 days after giving birth; 4) Post & Peri Arbotal sepsis (9%)- serious infection of the uterus (fever & pain) due to induced abortion and 5) C-section (5%)” The statement read in part.
To mitigate the maternal mortality the Ministry of Health said, “Interventions to mitigate maternal mortality being undertaken in Zimbabwe are: Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR)- reporting and auditing of all maternal deaths as and when they occur; Clinical mentorship for nurses and doctors at Provincial & District Levels;
“Procurement of essential maternal and newborn health equipment, drugs and consumables – including blood and related products; Improved Family Planning (FP) services and Training of service providers on the WHO 9 Standards on youth friendly service provision.” The statement further read.
In March 2020 during the dawn of the Covid -19 outbreak in Zimbabwe, doctors and nurses in public hospitals went on strike demanding salary rise and protective equipment against the Covid- 19.
The rich resorted to private hospitals whilst most of the poor died at public hospitals as there was no one to help them.
