Maternal mortality rate a cause for concern Dr Chimedza
Dr Chimedza

Dr Chimedza

Factmore Dzobo Features Reporter
AN increasing number of women are dying while giving birth and this has been blamed largely on negligence by health staff.
Many stories have been told of ill-treatment of pregnant women by health officials at either public hospitals or clinics.
The many deaths are therefore blamed on negligence and in some cases lack of resources.
Those that survive the agony of giving birth are at times punished further by being detained for failure to pay maternity fees.

In rural areas, giving birth has become a nightmarish process that most expectant mothers love to hate.
Getting to the clinic or hospital is hell for some expectant mothers who have to walk for more than 20km to get to the health institution. Some of the women as a result give birth at home or on their way to the clinic.

What is comforting is that a number of measures aimed at ending the suffering of pregnant women have been put in place.
The government has already made a commitment to reduce maternal mortality against a backdrop of various setbacks such as the issue of high user fees, poor working conditions for health workers, drug shortage and inadequate maternity resources.

Recently, a Bulawayo man told his wife’s inquest that she died as a result of negligence by staff at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Samantha Sungirai reportedly bled to death after giving birth through Caesarean section on March 14, 2012.

The husband, Chamunorwa Makumbe said his wife bled to death due to negligence by medical personnel at the hospital. He said her death could have been avoided had the staff acted professionally.

Sometime last year in December, the Bulawayo High Court heard that another expecting mum spent 24 hours with her baby’s head between her legs because nurses were too busy to attend to her.

Tamani Ncube of Nkulumane 11 eventually lost her baby after going through a “traumatising” experience. Ncube, a mother of one, is now suing Nkulumane Clinic and Mpilo Hospital, accusing staff of negligence over the incident.

Health and Child Care deputy minister Dr Paul Chimedza said reducing child mortality was one of the key priorities of the ministry.
“Given enough resources, it is one of our top priorities and goals to reduce maternal deaths, improve maternal health and reduce child mortality in the country,” said Dr Chimedza.

He said those health staff found guilty of negligence will be punished or dismissed from the service.
Dr Chimedza said in an effort to improve the welfare of pregnant mothers in rural areas, the ministry was building shelters to accommodate them.
He said the government was committed to the provision of basic health facilities in all areas.

The health sector like other sectors, has been adversely affected by the poor performance of the economy during the past ten years. The sector has witnessed an exodus of professionals who left the country for the so called greener pastures.

The health profession which is committed to providing quality health services continues to monitor the conduct its members despite the economic challenges.
Last year, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe found 38 medical doctors guilty of incompetence, negligence, unprofessional and unethical conduct.

The council received 93 complaints against doctors and of the 93, 73 went through the preliminary enquiries committee while the remaining 20 were dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Following some media reports of issues of negligence, incompetence and unethical conduct by some health personnel, some people have questioned the sincerity of the health personnel to save life.

What is the solution to all these maternal problems being faced by women daily, with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline fast approaching?  The deadline is only next year.

Sadly, of the eight MDGs, progress towards goal number 4 and 5 which are reducing child mortality and improving maternal health respectively have been lagging behind.

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