By Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwe has recorded a significant drop in maternal deaths, according to new data from the 2023–24 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), offering a rare moment of optimism for a country grappling with chronic healthcare challenges.
The survey, released on June 2 at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare, shows that the maternal mortality ratio has declined from 462 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 363 in 2024—a reduction of nearly 21 percent. Government officials, development partners, and public health experts welcomed the findings as evidence that targeted investments in maternal health are beginning to bear fruit.
Health officials attributed the decline to improved access to skilled birth attendants, increased uptake of antenatal care (ANC) services, and stronger partnerships between the government and development agencies.
Stephen Banda, Chief Director for Policy Planning, Health Informatics and Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), described the data as “a powerful story of progress,” but cautioned that the improvements must be used to guide future health policy.
These results are more than just numbers—they represent lives saved and families kept whole,” said Mr. Banda. “They offer us a lens through which to evaluate the progress of our current health strategies and shape the ones to come.”
The ZDHS, conducted between December 2023 and May 2024, is the seventh national health survey carried out since 1988. It collected data from more than 11,000 households with a 99 percent response rate, making it one of Zimbabwe’s most representative surveys to date. It covered a wide range of indicators including fertility, family planning, maternal and child health, HIV awareness, and nutrition.
Tafadzwa Bandama, Director General of the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), noted that the reduction in maternal deaths was among several positive findings in the report, alongside gains in contraceptive use and child nutrition.
However, she warned that some critical health indicators, including childhood mortality and ANC coverage, had shown little to no improvement since the last survey in 2015. “It is concerning,” she said, “and it underscores the need for a renewed strategic focus. We cannot afford to be complacent.”
Janean Davies, USAID Mission Director and representative for UNAIDS at the event, highlighted the global significance of the findings, noting that Zimbabwe’s participation in the Demographic and Health Survey program dates back nearly four decades.
“This report is not just a collection of statistics—it is the story of Zimbabwe’s people: their progress, their challenges, and their path forward,” said Ms. Davies. “The decline in maternal mortality is commendable, but we cannot ignore the sobering 28 percent rise in newborn deaths since 2015. That is a wake-up call.”
She urged the government and its partners to intensify efforts at all levels—policy, clinical, and community—to address the persistent bottlenecks in the maternal and child health system.
UNFPA Country Representative Miranda Tabifor echoed that message, praising the progress while calling for accelerated action to reach the country’s long-term goals.
“The reduction in maternal mortality is good news,” she said, “but it is not enough. The government has set a target of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. We still have a long way to go.”
Ms. Tabifor emphasized the importance of early ANC bookings, which the ZDHS shows are improving but not yet at optimal levels. “Why should our mothers go to bed expecting joy, only to lose their lives while giving birth?” she asked. “This data tells the story behind the lives of our mothers and children. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about people.”
She also called for continued collaboration between government and development agencies to close the gaps identified in the survey, particularly around maternal mortality, family planning, and gender-based violence.
The findings arrive at a critical moment. Zimbabwe is preparing to close out its current National Health Strategy (2021–2025) and formulate its next roadmap for health development. The data from the 2023–24 ZDHS is expected to inform both the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the upcoming National Health Strategy 2026–2030.
USAID, the Global Fund, UNFPA, and the Health Resilience Fund were among the key funders of the survey, with ICF International providing technical guidance throughout the process.
Stakeholders who attended the launch event stressed the need for the findings to be disseminated and used widely across all sectors. As Mr. Banda of MoHCC noted, “We now have the roadmap. It’s time to accelerate our journey toward a healthier Zimbabwe.”
While the decline in maternal mortality is encouraging, health experts say the gains are fragile. Sustained political will, increased domestic funding, and strengthened community-level services will be essential to ensure the trend continues.
