By NATION REPORTER
GOVERNMENT has announced that current statistics show that maternal mortality is at 278/100, 000 live births and neonatal mortality is 27/1, 000 live births.
Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo, said in 2022, the total number of maternal deaths were 734 giving an average of 61 women dying per month.
She said the country also recorded 7, 735 perinatal deaths in the same year.
Speaking during the 2023 Midwives Association of Zambia indaba in Lusaka yesterday, the minister said in 2023, the country is still losing an average of 15 women per week.
“We need to do more to avert the unnecessary deaths and reduce the impact of these deaths on families.
Unfortunately, most of these deaths are due to preventable and manageable causes or conditions. Hence, this gloomy picture can be changed by strong partnerships with other health workers and stakeholders to promote the quality of reproductive, maternal and newborn health care.
“The government has noticed the need for more support to midwives. It will ensure the partnership is strengthened to facilitate effective provision of resources and creating a conducive environment,” she said.
Ms Masebo said equally important is to promote professional autonomy through strengthened legislature for midwives.
“This is evidenced by the recruitment of 3, 000 health workers in this year, where midwives have been accorded 759 slots for promotions and recruitments. In 2024, more midwives will be recruited as Government implements the recruitment of 4, 000 health workers,” she said.
She, therefore, implored midwives to endeavour to provide quality, acceptable maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health services.
This article is supported with the WAN IFRA Women In News (WIN) Social Impact Reporting Initiative (SIRI) gender equality, diversity and inclusion (GEDI) Information in this article does not reflect the views of WAN IFRA Women In News.
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