Under the scheme pregnant women will receive free maternal care and the Bank will refund the local authority.
Council Chairperson for the programme, Carlos Mudzongo, said the municipality and residents had formed a committee to oversee the smooth running.
“We intend to uplift both the interior and outside of our clinics. We will replace bedding and equipment used during and after birth delivery. No lump sum was given. The programme will also cater for the child until it reaches five years,” Mudzongo added.
The clinics charge a $5 maternity fee for expecting mothers. Zimbabwe is determined to reduce the maternal mortality rate to 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015. A recent study identified HIV/Aids as the leading indirect cause of maternal mortality, contributing 25 percent.
According to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey there has also been a decline in skilled attendance at births from 73% in 1996 to 69% in 2006 and 66% in 2010/2011.
Post published in: News