Fri, 23 Feb 2018 08:44:38 +0000
By NAMBELA MWANDIA
LACK of partner support and involvement during pregnancy is posing a huge challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Mungwi district health director Zoran Muhimba said lack of men’s support had resulted in a number of expectant mothers shunning antenatal services.
Dr Muhimba said lack of support when an expectant mother tested positive had remained a huge obstacle in society.
He said it was saddening that when a woman tested positive in the absence of their spouses, they are rejected and chased from their homes.
“Most women quit antenatal checkups when they are found positive because discrimination by society and their family members,” he said.
Dr Muhimba said health authorities in Mungwi had introduced safe motherhood action groups who go out in the rural communities to sensitise people on the importance of partner involvement and support during antenatal.
He said the Ministry of Health had further introduced incentives for those who do checkups early on to motivate expecting mothers to go for antenatal.
“My humble appeal goes to expecting mothers is to avoid home births because they are the cause of maternal deaths. Last year we recorded 8 maternal deaths due to home births,” he said.
He urged expectant mothers to always seek early medical attention to avoid complications.
