HARARE - World health support organisations have called upon the government of Zimbabwe and Non Governmental Organisations in the country to accelerate the training of midwives in order to prevent birth related deaths.
In commemorating the International Day of the Midwife that is marked on the 5th, UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), noted with concern the Zimbabwe 2010 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Progress Report which pointed out that 80 percent of midwifery posts in the country are still vacant.
The organisations noted that “when empowered with essential and basic life saving skills, midwives can avert 80 percent of maternal deaths.” In Zimbabwe it is estimated that eight women die daily while giving birth with the absence of a qualified midwife being one among several reasons the cause of death.
“The shortage of skilled and competent midwives can avert 80 to 90 percent of maternal deaths. The shortage of skilled and competent midwives can result in women and their newborns dying from the complications that could be prevented by a health worker with the right skills, the right equipment and the right support,” said the three organisations in a joint statement.
Zimbabwe’s progress in attaining the MDG number 5 which entails the reduction by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio hangs in the balance with women in the country still faced with higher user fees at maternity clinics and also a shortage of midwives.
The European Union (EU) said in a statement that an increase in the number of midwives will lead to the reduction of maternal deaths and it is currently supporting the government of Zimbabwe towards reducing maternity fatality rates.
“As part of its recognition of the crucial role played by midwives, the EU put in place “An accelerated Midwifery Training” programme as a cost of US$2million to increase the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare’s training capacity,”Apart from supporting the Ministry of Health the EU is also providing safe blood and medical gases to the country’s provincial hospitals to prevent maternal deaths at a cost of $2.8 million.
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