Chatyoka was adamant. She believed that the anointing oil she got from a ‘prophet’ would save both their lives. Referred to Chitungwiza General Hospital from a private surgery where she had registered for pre-natal care because her blood pressure was too high, Chatyoka’s gynaecologist recommended emergency caesarean section for her 35-week pregnancy.
But the mother of two refused, arguing that because she was a child of the ‘anointed prophet’, no ill fortune could befall her. Lying on the examination table surrounded by four midwives ready to prepare her for emergency theatre, Chatyoka refused to sign the consent papers. “Your gynaecologist referred you here because very soon you are going to start experiencing seizures because of the BP,” explained one of the midwives. Chatyoka would hear none of it as she continuously spoke on her phone requesting one of her neighbours to bring her the anointing oil.
“I will refund you your dollar for bus- fare if only you can bring me my anointing oil. I need it urgently because I am at Chitungwiza hospital where I am supposed to go to the theatre,” Chatyoka yelled into her phone.
Stop and listen
One of the doctors kindly requested her to stop talking on her phone and listen to what he had to say. He explained the possibilities that lay ahead because of her condition.
“We want to save both yours and the baby’s life,” explained the doctor in a Nigerian accent. “If we do not do it fast, chances are that you are going to start the seizures and we cannot operate when you are in that condition.”
Before he finished speaking, Chatyoka started vomiting and that was when she reluctantly took the pen and paper and consented to undergo the emergency operation.
She is just one of many women who value the advice of their church leaders ahead of medical experts’ diagnosis.
Pregnant women in Zimbabwe, especially those in apostolic sects, have their babies delivered by church midwives, while some from conservative sects like the Johane Marange also refuse to have them vaccinated.
Joining this trend are some women who attend the new Pentecostal churches where the ‘prophet’s word or anointing oil is the ultimate authority.
Successful surgery
Speaking to this reporter a day after she had undergone the successful surgery to deliver safely her 1, 7 kg baby boy, Chatyoka said although she was happy with the outcome of the surgery, she believed that if only she had managed to get her anointing oil, she would have delivered her baby normally.
“The prophet is a man of God and I believe in his word,” she said, as she went on and on about the miracles that her prophet had performed at their church.
The Zimbabwe Health Demographic Survey 2010/11 reported that maternal mortality ratio ranged from 778 to 1,142 deaths per 100,000 live births.
According to the Zimbabwe Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Study (ZMPMS), “three delays” contribute to 72.8 percent of all maternal deaths.
The first delay, which is the time lost in identifying the need to seek medical care, contributed 56.4 percent, the second – delay in reaching a health facility – was 5.3 percent, and the third – delay in receiving appropriate and effective treatment at the health facility – was 11 percent.
The study noted other key factors as lack of communication facilities, lack of transport, financial constraints, user fees and shortage of skilled personnel. The National Health Strategy, 2009 to 2015, pegged doctor vacancies at 69 percent, midwife vacancies at over 78 percent and nursing tutor vacancies at 62 percent.
Miracles
Social commentator Leornard Jamanda believes that the increase in the number of ‘prophets’ who claim to perform miracles was affecting the health seeking behaviour of pregnant mothers and many sick people.
“There are some mothers who depend on what they would have been told by their so called prophets who then prescribe all sorts of medicines some of which are mixed with leaves, milk, eggs, pebbles, salt and oil,” said Jamanda. “Some of the prophets even foretell all sorts of unrealistic stories to boost the confidence of the expecting mothers to the extent that they end up delivering their babies at home.” Glanis Changachirere, the founding director at the Institute for Young Women’s Development called on young women to be realistic and seek the expertise of medical health personnel, especially when dealing with maternal health issues.
“The trend is that young women in the church are putting all their trust in church leaders to the extent that they are neglecting the advice of health experts,” said Changachirere. “There is need for people to understand that God works through medicine and that there should be a line between the world that we live in and the spiritual world.” The institute mobilises and promotes the active participation of marginalised young women from rural, farming and mining communities.
Oscar Pambuka, spokesperson for prominent prophet Walter Magaya of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) ministries, said Magaya’s sermons teach that Christians should seek medical help and not depend solely on the prophet’s healing sessions.
“During our healing sessions, the prophet is clear that doctors are from God and people should not shun medical institutions,” said Pambuka, adding that there are times when the sick are requested to bring their medical history to church so that they can receive their healing.
“It is wrong for expecting mothers not to take the advice of medical health personnel, because in our church we do not push such an agenda,” he said.
Post published in: News