Matebeleland South records drop in maternal deaths

Matebeleland South Province has recorded a significant decline in its maternal mortality ratio, a development attributed to increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and support from development partners.

This was revealed by Matebeleland South provincial medical director, Dr Andrew Philip Muza, during the handover of health equipment donated by Caledonia Mining Company at Sitezi Clinic recently.

Dr Muza said sustained efforts by the Government and its partners have started to yield positive results, reducing the number of women dying during childbirth.

"As a country, we have been battling with a challenge of high maternity mortality ratio, meaning our mothers die while giving birth. But I would like to share with you that as a province, due to the continued investment we have received from the Government and our partners, we have seen a reduction in the maternal mortality ratio over the years," he said.

He said the province had put in place several interventions, including the construction of maternity waiting shelters that provide affordable accommodation for expectant mothers awaiting delivery.

"As of 2025, as a province, we have delivered around 40 000 women and, unfortunately, lost only four mothers. Our motto is that we do not want any woman to die while giving birth. The four that we lost represent a huge decline from what we used to have in previous years," Dr Muza said.

He also noted that the donation from Caledonia Mining included a solar power plant, which will help strengthen service delivery, especially in rural clinics that struggle with electricity supply.

"Reliable energy supply will ensure that our health workers can offer services efficiently, even at night. It will also power our new electronic health recording system," he added.

Dr Muza said the Ministry of Health and Child Care was transitioning from manual to electronic health records, and reliable internet connectivity was key to the successful rollout of the system. The province officially launched the new digital recording system at Sitezi Clinic, marking a major step towards modernised healthcare.

Meanwhile, Gwanda South legislator, Desire Nkala, applauded the initiative, saying the province was privileged to have such developments improving community healthcare.

"The core of every successful society is to have a proper health delivery system in place," he said.

However, Nkala also appealed for more clinics to be established in remote areas to reduce the long distances villagers travel to access health services.

"Villagers in Ward 2 have to travel to Matshetsheni in Ward 1 to seek medical assistance. The distance is too long; we need a clinic in each ward," he said.

Health experts have described the decline in maternal deaths as a positive step toward achieving national and global health goals, including the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.