In January 2025 alone, nearly 299 infants and 54 mothers lost their lives due to complications during childbirth.Deputy Minister of Health and Childcare Sleiman Kwidini recently addressed Parliament, revealing the grim statistics. Harare, the capital city, recorded the highest number of neonatal deaths at 111, alongside 19 maternal deaths. The causes of these tragedies are multifaceted, ranging from surgical complications to underlying health conditions.
Root Causes of Maternal and Neonatal Deaths
Kwidini outlined the primary factors contributing to maternal deaths, which include hypertensive disorders, renal failure, post-partum haemorrhage, complications from abortions, normal deliveries, and cesarean sections.
Additionally, underlying conditions such as HIV and diabetes mellitus have exacerbated the situation. In some cases, dilated cardiomyopathy—a condition that weakens the heart muscle—was also identified as a contributing factor.
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Neonatal deaths, on the other hand, were primarily attributed to respiratory distress and birth asphyxia. The latter is often caused by challenges during delivery, particularly in rural areas where medical resources are scarce.
A Healthcare System Under Scrutiny
Zimbabwe’s healthcare system has long been criticized for its inadequacies. Critics argue that the government has failed to allocate sufficient funding to hospitals and rural health institutions.
The situation has been further worsened by the mass exodus of healthcare workers to European countries in search of better pay and working conditions. This brain drain has left the country’s medical facilities severely understaffed, placing an even greater burden on the remaining healthcare professionals.
Rural Communities Bear the Brunt
Rural areas are disproportionately affected by the healthcare crisis. Poor road networks and a lack of skilled medical personnel make it difficult for pregnant women to access timely and adequate care. Kwidini acknowledged these challenges and outlined the government’s efforts to address them.
“We are retraining midwives and upgrading primary care nurses in rural areas to fill the gap left by those who have migrated,” he said. “Additionally, we have deployed mobile scanning machines to ensure pregnant women receive the necessary antenatal care, which can help reduce complications and save lives.”-iharare
