Free maternal health welcome but....
Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 March 2012 07:45 Written by Administrator Monday, 27 February 2012 16:16
“No woman should die while giving life”
UNFPA
Free maternal health welcome but....
The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare announced last week that a committee was established to set in motion government’s objective of supporting free health care for pregnant women at public hospitals following the securing of funds from international donors. While the government’s intentions are noble, there is need for the Ministry to walk the talk by translating their intentions into action and ensuring that all women access free and quality healthcare from public hospitals. This statement was also reaffirmed by the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Women’s Committee Chairperson, Ms. Cleopatra Ndlovu.
Speaking during an interview with The Crisis Report, Ms. Ndlovu said,
‘It is a much appreciated and good move. We continue to live in a country where Maternal Mortality is high even in private hospitals. This shows that the government is working towards attaining the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). Due to resource constraints women are giving birth at their rural homes leading to those who are HIV positive failing to access neverapine. It is however important for government to implement and to ensure adequate resource support for the initiative. It is also important for government to consult with the Women Action Group (WAG), hospitals, women and other stakeholders so that the initiative benefits all women even those in remote areas. Government has made promises to women before which don’t come to fruition. We hope that this is not just another promise or an election strategy which will eventually die. ’
The Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr. Henry Madzorere could not specify when implementation would begin although he indicated that it would take a few weeks to set the ball rolling. He however reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring improved maternal health.
‘The committee is already meeting and it will feedback to the Ministry of Health. We currently have a scheme with some international partners which we launched about two years back where we purchase coupons from the National Blood Transfusion Service to give to pregnant women in public hospitals who require blood’, he said.
According to The United Nations Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF) statistics, eight women die every day in Zimbabwe while giving birth while the Maternal Mortality rate is pegged at 17%. The country’s mortality rate is amongst the highest in the world and is currently ranked 13th out of 172 countries. Countries in constant conflict such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo have lower maternal mortality rates than Zimbabwe. This has mainly been attributed to the exorbitant costs related to pre and post natal care. Council clinics charge USD25 for registration which is unattainable particularly for rural women who have limited access to resources. Moreover public hospitals charge between USD100 and USD200 in a country where government, which is the biggest employer, pays civil servants an average of USD200 a month.
It is important for the inclusive government to ensure that all women regardless of financial status access quality and affordable maternal healthcare and to put the resources acquired to good use by subsidising pregnant women. Free maternal health care should be coupled with the guarantee of quality of life exemplified by the reduction in maternal deaths. The state has an obligation to respect and uphold the reproductive rights of women as these are inextricably linked to the right to life contained in both the Zimbabwean constitution and regional and international conventions.
Article 12 of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), to which Zimbabwe is a state party highlights that;
‘1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, access to health care services, including those related to family planning.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I of this article, States Parties shall ensure to women appropriate services in connection with pregnancy, confinement and the post-natal period, granting free services where necessary, as well as adequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.’
Moreover, the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 propel government to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. These can be achieved through affordable and accessible healthcare for pregnant and lactating women.