Giving birth is national service says MDC-T MP

GIVING birth has been described as a national service that should see women not being compelled to pay user fees at health institutions, a legislator has said.

Member of Parliament for Bulawayo Central Ms Dorcas Sibanda said this during the International Women's Day commemorations held at Bulawayo Amphitheatre on Thursday last week.

"Pregnant women are doing national service, they are carrying leaders of tomorrow, ministers, presidents and so on, why are they paying these fees? The Government should scrap them," she said.

She said there was no need for women to pay user fees in hospitals and clinics as they are doing a job that no one else can do besides women themselves.

"Women should not pay user fees in hospitals and maternal products such as sanitary pads must be for free," she said.

MP Sibanda lamented the exorbitant fees paid in martenity wards saying a number of women could not afford them and end up giving birth at their homes.

Most women in rural areas face difficulties when accessing sanitary wear forcing them to resort to other unhealthy measures such as using old clothes and stockings which is a risk to their health.

Other speakers at the commemoration said women also had all the responsibilities in the home including their children's health, so there is need for the Government to acknowledge their presence and assist in their well-being.

MP Sibanda further said children who were five years and below should be admitted free of charge in hospitals.

"Children who are under five years should not pay in hospitals. It should be the Government's responsibility to do that," she said.

She said women had the right to peace and the right not to be harassed in the hospitals as they have been reporting that hospital staff in the city and beyond are insensitive to their plight.