By Kuda Pembere
Amidst the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai in Manicaland Province, which damaged clinics, hospitals, and road infrastructure, the Health Assistance Project, funded by the Chinese Government and implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Zimbabwe, contributed to over 63,300 safe deliveries.
The project began in 2020 and concluded last year. Of the 63,327 deliveries, 8,357 were successful Caesarean sections.
Speaking at the signing ceremony for the completion certificate of the Health Assistance Project for women and girls affected by Cyclone Idai, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Hon. Sleiman Kwidini commended the Chinese Government for supporting the initiative during a critical time.
“We are witnessing the closure of a project that began during Cyclone Idai, a time when women and girls were especially affected in terms of access to sexual and reproductive health services. The Government of China extended its support through UNFPA to implement projects such as the refurbishment of clinics and the modernization of mothers’ waiting shelters,” he said.
“These waiting homes are vital to our Ministry’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality rates, particularly in rural areas where women face challenges such as long distances to health centers. The construction and refurbishment of these homes encourage women to wait near health facilities before delivery, where skilled health personnel can attend to them. Our goal is to reduce maternal mortality to zero. That is why we are grateful for China’s assistance—both during Cyclone Idai and COVID-19—in helping prevent avoidable maternal deaths.”
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E. Zhou Ding, noted that nearly 300 health workers received specialized training under the project, which was funded to the tune of US$1.2 million.
“Led by UNFPA and supported by the China South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund (SSCAF), this project has strengthened emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC) in the cyclone-affected districts of Chipinge and Chimanimani,” Ambassador Ding said.
“Through this initiative, over 60,000 life-saving delivery services were provided to mothers in need. Three Maternity Waiting Homes (MWHs) were refurbished, and nearly 300 health workers were trained. Today’s gathering is not just a celebration of a project’s completion; it is a tribute to the profound impact we have collectively made. These achievements are not just numbers—they represent lives saved, families supported, and communities empowered.”
He added, “This project aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Chinese Government’s Global Development Initiative, and Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030. Health is not a privilege—it is a fundamental human right and the foundation of a thriving society. By investing in healthcare, we are investing in people and a more equitable future.”
UNFPA Zimbabwe Representative Miranda Tabifor also praised the Chinese Government for its support, which helped mitigate and prevent severe maternal health risks.
“We truly appreciate China for this support, which has contributed to the impact we’ve witnessed. We remain committed to ensuring the health and well-being of women in Zimbabwe remains a priority,” she said.
“Through this generous support, we addressed the challenges through a three-pronged approach: provision of sexual and reproductive health equipment and medication, training health workers in emergency obstetric care, and refurbishing maternity waiting homes. The program supported over 10,000 pregnant women who used these homes to deliver safely.”
Tabifor added, “As UNFPA, we commend the Government of China and believe the gains from this project have been life-transforming. It would be beneficial to explore scaling up this success.”
The project significantly contributed to reducing Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality rate, which dropped from 462 to 363 deaths per 100,000 live births. Under this initiative, 94,643 women accessed modern family planning methods, and 10,862 pregnant women benefited from the refurbished maternity waiting homes.