HUMAN rights doctors have called for urgent action following shocking revelations that 300 newborns lost their lives and 54 women died due to pregnancy-related complications.
In a statement yesterday, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) blamed the preventable deaths on systemic failures within the health delivery system in Zimbabwe.
The statistics, which highlight the ongoing maternal health crisis, expose inadequate healthcare infrastructure, chronic under-funding and severe shortage of essential supplies at Zimbabwe’s public health facilities.
“This crisis is a direct result of inadequate healthcare infrastructure, chronic under-funding, shortage of essential medical supplies and a severe lack of access to quality maternal care,” ZADHR said in the statement.
“No woman should have to risk her life to give birth and no child should be lost due to a failing system.
“Yet, these statistics are a grim reflection of the everyday reality faced by expectant mothers in Zimbabwe.”
ZADHR called on the Finance ministry, the Health and Child Care portfolio committee and other relevant authorities to take immediate action to increase investment in maternal healthcare infrastructure to save lives.
“(There is need for) increased investment in maternal healthcare infrastructure to ensure every health facility is adequately equipped,” the rights doctors said.
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“(There is need for) recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare professionals through better working conditions and fair remuneration.
“Immediate provision of essential medicines and medical supplies to prevent avoidable deaths.
“Strengthening emergency obstetric and neonatal care to ensure timely intervention for at-risk mothers and babies.”
The doctors said maternal health was a fundamental human right, adding that failure to address the crisis was a violation of that right as stipulated in the Constitution.
“ZADHR will continue to advocate for a healthcare system that protects and prioritises the lives of expectant mothers and all children,” it said.
Zimbabwe’s health sector suffers from years of under-funding and neglect. Public hospitals lack basic medicines and drugs as well as other medical supplies, while skilled professionals are quitting their jobs en masse to seek greener pastures elsewhere.
