Zimbabwe Rebuilds Midwifery Workforce Through Training and Digital Innovation
By Michael Gwarisa “I enjoy midwifery because, to me, it gives me the satisfaction that I am saving humanity and playing a part in bringing lives into this world,” says Sr Sikhangele Mguni, a midwife at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo. For Sr Mguni, those words are not just a reflection. They are a lifetime of
Read More
95 Out of Every 100 Zimbabwean Babies Now Born in Health Facilities
Michael Gwarisa If 100 Zimbabwean women gave birth in 2024, about 95 would have delivered their babies in a clinic or hospital, while only four would have given birth at home, reflecting the country’s continued shift towards safer, facility-based childbirth. The figures were revealed during the launch and dissemination of the 2023-2024 Vital Statistics Report
Read More
Zimbabwe Urged to Invest More in Midwives as Global Shortage Hits One Million
Michael Gwarisa in Bulawayo The Government of Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the country’s health workforce amid growing calls for increased investment in midwives to help reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Speaking during the International Day of the Midwife commemorations and awards ceremony held at United Bulawayo Hospitals, Deputy Minister of Health and
Read More
Hauna District Hospital Records Zero Maternal Deaths in Over 4,000 Births Since 2022
Michael Gwarisa, Manicaland “My labour pains felt like a running stomach. I did not realise I was about to give birth,” recalls Sophia Uranda from Chavhanga Village in Honde Valley. What began as mild discomfort quickly turned into an emergency. On her way to the clinic, the contractions intensified, forcing her to deliver by the
Read More
Zimbabwe Expands Fistula Repair Camps as Thousands of Women Await Surgery
Kuda Pembere Fewer than 2 000 women and adolescent girls in Zimbabwe have received corrective surgery for obstetric fistula since specialised repair camps began in 2014, prompting health authorities to expand the programme nationwide to tackle a backlog of thousands living with the preventable childbirth injury. According to the Zimbabwe Health Demographic Survey (2023-24), about
Read More
Nedbank embarks on major Edith Opperman Maternity Clinic refurbishment
Staff Reporter Financial institution Nedbank Zimbabwe has started a major infrastructure and medical equipment upgrade at Edith Opperman Maternity Clinic in Mbare to help strengthen maternal and child healthcare services. The refurbishment work includes roof repairs and repainting, interior and exterior wall repairs and painting, ceiling repairs and replacement, brick dressing and general structural
Read More
Government Targets Neonatal Mortality Below 12 per 1,000 by 2030
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
Read More
Harare Clinics Welcome 42 Christmas Babies Amid Festive Cheer
By Staff Reporter Harare recorded 42 babies, a slight decline from what was recorded in 2024 across polyclinics around the city. Announcing the figures through his official Facebook account, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume expressed delight at the safe arrivals while noting the significance of the day for the newborns and their families. “Forty-two babies were
Read More
Zimbabwe Considers Cost Recovery Strategy For Family Planning Products
By Michael Gwarisa Amid growing donor fatigue and declining international support, Zimbabwe is pursuing a cost recovery framework for contraceptive commodities to ensure the sustainability and accessibility of reproductive health services. Spearheaded by the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and other partners, this initiative
Read More
Zim Launches Family Planning Strategy 2022-2026
By Kudakwashe Pembere Zimbabwe on Friday asserted its Family Planning 2030 commitments among them to ensure a zero unmet need for family planning methods while launching the country’s National Family Planning Strategy 2022-2026 blueprint. Officiating the launch, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga said strategy is anchored on Government seeing family planning and
Read More