Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE country’s maternal mortality rate has been on a steady decline, and a significant portion of the credit goes to the dedicated work of midwives who play a critical role in ensuring safe pregnancies and deliveries.
Zimbabwe’s national maternal mortality has significantly declined over the years from 651 per 100 000 live births in 2015, to 362 per 100 000 live births in 2022.
The positive trend is largely attributed to the increased availability and utilisation of skilled birth attendants, with midwives at the forefront.
Commemorations to mark the International Day of Midwives organised by the Swedish Embassy in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund and the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Harare this Wednesday was a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the role being played by midwives in reducing maternal mortality.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Honourable Sleiman Kwidini said, “The theme this year shines light on the role midwives play in addressing the current greatest health challenge of our time, climate change. Globally, healthcare services emit about 5 percent of greenhouse gases resulting in global warming and climate change.
“This results in changes in the rainfall pattern where atmospheric temperatures rise and extreme climate events occur such as heatwaves, floods, erratic rainfall, and drought. During the drought period, the midwife health education talks to women to encourage the use of drought-resistant small grains and consumption of locally available nutritional food sources such as wild fruit and edible insects. During food insecurity. It is said that mothers sacrifice their nutrition to their children.”
“Midwives are amongst some of the unsung heroes and heroines of our health care system, providing care under sometimes very challenging conditions. They are the unwavering and committed protectors of maternal and child health, providing a much-needed vital buffer to a small contingent of obstetricians in public service. In addition to ensuring self-deliveries and lowering mother and newborn mortality, their commitment, skill and passion also improve the health and well-being of families and communities,” said the Health Services Commission’s Secretary, Dr Christophe Pasi.
UNFPA country representative, Ms Miranda Tabifor said, “We say that no woman should die giving birth. No mother should die giving birth to a child. When a child is born, it’s a gift of life, and we know the role that mothers embrace when they have their babies, and we know midwives are the ones between, it’s an action of life and death. So that is why we see UNFPA coming so strongly because it’s part of our global goal, which is replicated in our country’s program document.
“The country program document which we implemented in Zimbabwe is the 8th country program document, and one of the main outputs is maternal health and adolescent health. This event is not just an event people want to come and celebrate. It is actually within the global or national goals of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe National Strategic Plan, we call it MTS1, has a very important point or area, the thematic area that talks about the health of the citizens, the health of the population.”
“They make the difference between life and death for newborn babies and their mothers. For this, they deserve our heartfelt respect and recognition. Every woman has the right to life-saving health care. Midwives are critical to make that happen. As we commemorate International Day of Midwives, let us continue to fully appreciate the skills and contributions of midwives and invest in them to safeguard life and protect the health and well-being of women, newborns and communities at large.
“Every one of us is indebted to the efforts of midwives. Today’s commemorations are extra important especially as we are acknowledging outstanding heroes who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that every pregnancy in Zimbabwe is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled,” said Sweden Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Per Lindgärde.
The ceremony also recognised 15 outstanding midwives from across the country for their dedication to duty.
“We would like to thank the government and its partners for recognizing the work that we do as midwives. Our goal and aim is to make sure that no one dies while giving birth,” said one of the midwives.
Another said, “As midwives, we try by all means to make sure that no woman dies while giving birth and we would like to encourage all expecting mothers to make sure that they report at health facilities earlier to avoid loss of lives.”
The government continues to play a crucial role by investing in midwifery training, with various nursing schools now offering accredited midwifery programmes, hence ensuring a steady stream of qualified professionals.
