by Dumiso Dube and Ratidzo Njagu
Everyday women are dying while pregnant, during or after giving birth. This is referred to as maternal mortality. According to the Sustainable Development Goals (3.1) By 2030 the goal is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births.
According to UNFPA, Zimbabwe Maternal Mortality remains high at 614 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest maternal mortality rates worldwide. There are many reasons behind maternal mortality especially within high risk populations experiencing the threat of poverty. One direct consequence is that women especially often cannot afford to get the right treatment when they are pregnant. This article will focus on women and some of they keys ways to reduce maternal deaths.
1) Registration at Clinics
It is imperative for women to register with a clinic once they are pregnant. Affordable access to primary healthcare at local facilities is essential. During the recent Kunashe Foundation field assessment in Zimbabwe reports of rising registration fees have seen many women abandoning registrations and opting for unsupervised home births which are not safe.
Primary healthcare is important because this is where women can be educated on maternal health. The skilled workers and nurses teach on nutrition, self-care and carry out essential check to ensure the health of mum and baby. Without this, dangerous symptoms can go unchecked leaving women vulnerable to complications and preventable deaths.
2) Building Healthy Habits
Expecting mums need adequate nutrition to ensure that they are eating plenty of the right food and getting the right nutrients. This is imperative for both mum and baby's health. Women require adequate protein, fruits, vegetables and a lot of iron during pregnancy. This should be done while avoiding fatty, sugary and other unhealthy foods. In addition women ought to avoid any strenuous activities that could put the baby in danger. Exercising regularly and getting adequate rest during pregnancy keep both mum and baby healthy.
Together we need to find ways to protect our women and help those we can to access essential nutrition and healthcare services. Through combined effort and dedication to reducing maternal mortality we can save lives and ensure both mum and baby survive and thrive!
If you would like more information on how you can help women access healthcare then email us on kunashefoundation@gmail.com or contact us via our website!
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