Pregnant women not forced to bring delivery equipment - Musiiwa

Deputy minister of Health and Child Care Aldrin Musiiwa has said it was not Government policy that all  pregnant women delivering at state health institutions should bring their items when they come for delivery.

 However, he said due to crippling lack of resources, they can bring their items.

Musiiwa was responding to an issue raised by Midlands Province under the women's quota Emma Shanziwe Muzondiwa (MDC-T) on Wednesday.

 She said "Is it Government policy that pregnant women who go to referral hospitals owned by Government should bring their own items which are to be used during delivery, items such as code clips, gloves and everything for their delivery?".

In response, Musiiwa said "It is not Government policy that pregnant women should bring their items when they come for delivery at referral hospitals but at the moment, because of the economic crunch we are facing, we are running short of essential items which are to be used during delivery.

"Hence they have to supply.

 "However, the Government policy is that women should receive assistance at the hospitals without bringing any items for their treatment,".

 It is now a norm for expecting mothers to buy their own delivery equipment amid reports that hospital authorities retain un-used items.