Kuda Pembere
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing neonatal mortality to fewer than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births, in line with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
The Neonatal Mortality Rate according to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS 2023-24) according to Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora is 31 deaths per 1000 live births.
“The neonatal mortality rate has risen from 31 to 37 deaths per 1,000 live births over the same period. This is a clear signal, perhaps the clearest we have. That quality of care around childbirth and the immediate postnatal period must improve,” he said.
The Health Minister made these remarks while officiating at the inaugural Zimbabwe Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition Conference, held under the theme Ending Preventable Maternal and Perinatal Mortality, Lessons Learned, and Future Directions.
“In line with our National Development Strategy 2, we have set ambitious but attainable goals by 2030 to reduce maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births, and neonatal mortality to fewer than 12 per 1,000 live births. Achieving these targets will demand focus, discipline and solidarity,” he said.
Minister Mombeshora stressed the need to move away from apportioning blame and instead focus on practical solutions to address high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
“It will also require that we move beyond assigning blame and instead commit to learning, adapting and doing better together,” he said. “We are not starting from zero. Government and partners have invested substantially, ensuring free access to blood for pregnant women in public institutions, expanding access to family planning through match funding with our partners, co-financing critical equipment for facilities, and enforcing the Human Resources for Health Compact to improve staffing at service delivery points.”
He cited the renovation of health institutions, including Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital, as part of broader efforts to strengthen maternal and neonatal care.
“The launch of the Presidential Hospital Rehabilitation Programme by His Excellency Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa underscores our shared recognition that health is a foundational pillar of development.
“We appreciate these advances, yet we must acknowledge where gaps persist, especially in the everyday essentials that make quality neonatal and maternal care possible.
“Newborn and neonatal and maternal survival is exquisitely sensitive to facility readiness and reliable supplies, oxytocin that is in stock and cold chain protected, magnesium sulphate for eclampsia, antibiotics for infection, corticosteroids for threatened preterm birth, functional oxygen, CPAP and other support equipment, thermal care, infection prevention supplies, safe blood and timely referral and transport,” the Minister said.
He outlined priority areas that require urgent strengthening, including improving quality and continuity of care around birth by scaling up evidence-based intrapartum and immediate postnatal care, including essential newborn care and kangaroo mother care.
He called for institutionalising respectful maternity care and routine quality audits at all levels, strengthening perinatal death surveillance and response systems so that every death is reviewed and lessons implemented.
The Minister emphasised the need for reliable commodities and functional equipment, supported by adequate domestic financing to ensure uninterrupted availability of maternal and neonatal supplies. Maintaining essential equipment through clear service contracts, ensuring continuous oxygen supply, and making newborn resuscitation devices and critical care tools usable where needed were also highlighted.
He underscored the importance of a competent and supported health workforce through expanded mentorship and continuous professional development in emergency obstetric and neonatal care for midwives, nurses and doctors, while optimising staffing under the Human Resources for Health Compact.
Strong referral and emergency systems were cited as another priority, including improving ambulance availability and functionality, establishing clear referral protocols and strengthening communication between facilities to reduce delays.
The Minister further stressed the importance of reinforcing primary health care and community partnerships, strengthening antenatal care coverage and quality, promoting early detection and management of risks, and encouraging timely care-seeking behaviour and early postnatal visits.
He also highlighted adolescent health and family planning as critical pillars in preventing unintended pregnancies and promoting healthy timing and spacing of births, alongside the need to use routine data dashboards and review meetings to guide decision-making and promote transparency and shared accountability.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative to Zimbabwe Miranda Tabifor commended Government for progress made in addressing maternal and neonatal health challenges.
“Allow me to commend the Government of Zimbabwe for the remarkable achievements and sustained efforts in the improvement in the reproductive health indicators:
A reduction of maternal mortality ratio from 651/100,000 in 2015 to 212/100,000 live births in 2024 (ZDHS 2024)
Increase in Skilled birth attendance from 82% in 2015 to 85% (ZDHS 2023/24)
Increase in Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) from 66% in 2015 to 69% (ZDHS 2023/24)
Reduction in unmet need for family planning from 10% in 2015 to 9% 2023/24 (ZDHS 2023/24)
These are not just numbers; they are lives saved and families kept whole. These gains reflect the dedication of our healthcare workers and the resilience of our community and health systems.
As we celebrate the achievements made in strengthening the health system, training midwives, and improving access to life-saving reproductive health supplies, which have directly contributed to reducing maternal deaths; we must remain vigilant!,” she said.
