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Maternal mortality in Zimbabwe: Evidence, costs and implications
UN Women
June 09, 2013

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Summary

An estimated 3000 women die every year in Zimbabwe during child birth and at least 1.23% of GDP is lost annually due to maternal complications. According to the MMIEG, maternal mortality has worsened by 28% from 1990 to 2010. Most of what needs to be done is known. Past efforts have managed to sustain high levels of ANC visits among pregnant women and skilled birth deliveries yet maternal mortality estimates remain high. While innovative thinking supported by a stronger vital registration system is needed for progress towards reducing maternal mortality, quality of care in maternal health services seems to be the missing link. In addition, there is need to progressively expanded the scope and entitlements of maternity protection and provide perspectives for policy and action.

Introduction

Maternal mortality is a global concern and a consensus has been reached that the health of mothers and children is an important indicator of national health and the socio-economic development of countries. In 2000, the reduction of maternal mortality was adopted in the global action plan under Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5. The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and the Countdown to 2015 initiative, which track health systems and policy environments for improving maternal, newborn and child health have put maternity protection as part of global and national initiatives for improving maternal and newborn health. The Countdown to 2015 initiative seeks to promote government leadership and intersectoral action for protecting pregnant and breastfeeding women and their infants, providing a strong call for collaboration between actors in health and labour sectors.

Despite the commitment set out in the millennium development goals, maternal mortality remains unacceptably high in many parts of the world. In 2010, an estimated 285,000 maternal deaths occurred globally marking a decline of in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 47% from the 1990 levels. However, the decline has not been uniform across the globe as Sub-Saharan Africa shoulders over half (56%) of the maternal mortality burden. For every woman who dies, roughly 20 suffer serious injury or disability. Babies and young children who have lost their mothers in childbirth are up to ten times more likely to die prematurely than their peers. Inequities and challenges such as armed conflict, natural disasters and HIV/ AIDS hamper progress, with child and maternal mortality concentrated in the world’s poorest countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Zimbabwe is ranked among the 40 countries in the world with high MMR of over 960 maternal deaths per100,000 live births. Having made remarkable progress during the first decade of independence in improving access to health services through the Primary Health Care approach, which enabled access to basic health care services for about 85% of the population, resulted in a 20% decline in mortality rate. Unfortunately the country then failed to sustain this progress. As a result, the country has not made any progress from the 1990 MDGs base year maternal mortality levels. This is partly due to the prolonged political and economic crisis in the country and has been exacerbated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic for the last two decades. It is estimated that around 3000 maternal deaths occurred in Zimbabwe in 2010. This note reviews evidence on Zimbabwe related to maternal mortality, highlighting the associated costs and draws implications in a bid to refocus efforts towards ensuring safe motherhood.

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