More than 6 100 babies died within the neonatal period in Zimbabwe last year – most from birth asphyxia – while 563 women lost their lives from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications, reports Nehanda Radio.
The dismal statistics have prompted renewed scrutiny of emergency obstetric care, referral systems, staffing shortages and the affordability of life-saving maternal health services.
The Zimbabwean Government has constantly been criticised for failing to prioritise its healthcare system, allocating a heftier chuck of its annual spend to the security sector rather than Health.
The figures presented in Parliament by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora showed that out of 410 051 deliveries recorded nationwide last year, there were 6 177 neonatal deaths and 563 maternal deaths, exposing persistent weaknesses in maternal and neonatal healthcare despite government efforts to improve outcomes.
Harare recorded the highest burden, with 84 756 deliveries, 2 205 neonatal deaths and 190 maternal deaths. Midlands Province recorded 46 770 deliveries, 741 neonatal deaths and 78 maternal deaths, while Bulawayo had 20 649 deliveries, 624 neonatal deaths and 61 maternal deaths.
The statistics were tabled after legislators questioned the Minister over the continued loss of mothers and babies during childbirth and the measures being taken to reverse the trend.
Mombeshora said birth asphyxia, where a baby is deprived of oxygen during delivery after becoming trapped in the birth canal, remains the leading cause of neonatal deaths.
Neonatal infections were the second leading cause, with failures in resuscitating newborns immediately after birth contributing to preventable fatalities.
Mombeshora said government was introducing neonatal resuscitation equipment to clear secretions from newborns’ airways, and to reduce deaths caused by birth complications and infections.
On maternal mortality, Mombeshora identified postpartum haemorrhage as the leading cause of death, followed by infections. He said many women arrived at health institutions too late after complications had developed, reducing the chances of saving both mother and child.
“In most cases, the mother can be saved through a Caesarean section… it may be too late to save the neonates,” he said.
He added that the government had expanded the number of health facilities capable of performing C-sections and was implementing a three-pronged strategy focusing on improving health infrastructure and equipment, strengthening the health workforce, and enhancing referral systems.
On the issue of financial barriers contributing to maternal and newborn deaths – many women reportedly fail to access emergency C-sections because they are being asked to pay, which they can’t afford – he acknowledged that this remained a challenge.
However, he said legislation was being finalised to establish a National Healthcare Provision Programme, to provide free healthcare for every Zimbabwean citizen and resident once enacted, reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses that delay access to life-saving treatment.
Also coming under the parliamentary spotlight was the declining role of traditional birth attendants, who had historically helped reduce maternal and newborn deaths in remote communities.
Mombeshora said government was no longer prioritising the training of these attendants, and that the focus had shifted to training professional midwives and strengthening scientifically-based maternity services instead.
The debate exposed the scale of Zimbabwe’s maternal and neonatal health challenge.
Analysing the 2026 National Budget in December last year, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) said that although the government met the Abuja Declaration target by allocating 15% of the budget to the health sector, this was still inadequate to address growing healthcare needs and improve access to quality primary healthcare services.
Many communities, particularly in rural and resettlement areas, still lack accessible clinics, forcing residents to travel long distances for basic health services and undermining progress towards universal health coverage.
CWGH also questioned the government’s spending priorities, noting that the security sector received significantly more than the health sector. It pointed out that 46% of the health budget was absorbed by employment costs, leaving limited resources for expanding services, while only 0.5% was allocated to biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical manufacturing and related programmes critical to reducing reliance on imported medicines.
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