Zimbabwe hit by shortage of midwives

A shortage of midwives in the country is threatening Zimbabwe's chances of attaining the millennium development goals (MDGs) number 4 and 5.

Alice Masiyiwa was rushed to Harare Central Hospital on Tuesday morning after experiencing complications at a local polyclinic.

Fortunately she was quickly attended to by qualified and experienced midwives and she safely delivered a baby girl.

Mrs Masiyiwa's case underlines the importance of midwives and their work which contributes to the wellbeing of mothers and newborn babies.

The 5th of May is International Day of the Midwife and while there were no celebrations to mark the day in Zimbabwe, it is that well-trained and resourced professional who stands between failure and achieving MDG 4 of reducing child mortality rate by two-thirds and improving maternal health by 2015.

Some midwives, who spoke to the ZBC News, said they are proud of their profession and the good that they do in society.

Many times, midwives are accused of ill treating patients but the midwives believe that it is a matter of attitude.

Statistics from the Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives show that the country requires at least 8000 midwives, yet their number falls far below that as most left for greener pastures.

Sadly, some who have decided to stay are not benefiting from allowances that were pooled together by donors under the Health Transition Fund.