Higherlife Foundation has handed over vital equipment to improve maternal and neonatal services to three major hospitals: Sally Mugabe Hospital, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital.
These hospitals were prioritised based on the high number of deliveries (new births) they handle due to their referral status, availability of specialist staff and presence of supporting infrastructure.
The equipment, which includes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, suction machines, monitors, jaundice meters, and phototherapy machines, is expected to improve the quality of care given to mothers and newborns during some of their most vulnerable times.
Most newborn deaths occur during the first week of life, predominantly due to preterm birth, birth asphyxia and neonatal sepsis.
For mothers in Zimbabwe, 86% of maternal deaths occur due to a delay in receiving adequate care after reaching a health facility. Most maternal deaths are caused by postpartum haemorrhage, eclampsia, and sepsis, amongst others.
Higherlife Foundation Country Director Mr Philani Nyatsanza (pictured) said the organisation remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the Government of Zimbabwe to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the country.
“Since 2020, Higherlife Foundation has grown our focus and efforts in maternal health by training doctors and nurses, funding equipment and maintaining it. This donation is a continuation of this effort,” Mr Nyatsanza said.
Zimbabwe continues to make progress towards improving services to expectant mothers and babies. According to the 2022 census, the maternal mortality ratio is estimated to be 362 per 100,000 live births and under-five mortality sits at 39.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. Both figures have been falling since 2019.
More still needs to be done if Zimbabwe is to meet sustainable development goals for maternal and neonatal mortalities at 70 per 100,000 live births and 12 per 1,000 live births. The improvement of maternal health services should be a shared responsibility between Government, private sector and non-profit organisations.
Since 2020, Higherlife Foundation has funded delivery of emergency obstetric training to almost 4,600 clinical and non-clinical maternity staff in 16 hospitals across the country, with a further 1,500 set to be trained this year. The organisation has also placed equipment in maternity wards in 16 hospitals, which it maintains to date.
