In Burnet’s latest edition of IMPACT magazine, Senior Program Manager, Ms Mary-Ann Nicholas shares her insights into the tremendous success of a collaborative project in Mashonaland Central province to save the lives of mums and babies.

Below is an extract of the article which can be downloaded. If you would like to subscribe to our free bi-annual magazine click here.

Until the early 1990s, Zimbabwe had one of the best primary health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Political and economic challenges have led to chronic underinvestment in the sector and significant deterioration in health indicators.

Burnet Institute has been addressing this concern through a collaborative project to increase the quality, demand and uptake of facility-based maternal and child health services.

Demand and uptake of facility-based maternal and child health services in the province of Mashonaland Central, which has Zimbabwe’s highest rate of home deliveries at almost 50 per cent, compared to the national average of 20 per cent.

According to Burnet Senior Program Manager, Ms Mary-Ann Nicholas, having a place to stay, such as a Maternity Waiting Home, before giving birth in a health facility makes a significant difference for women in the district who live remotely.

“Evidence indicates that these facilities have the potential to reduce perinatal mortality, in rural areas of Zimbabwe with low geographic access to hospitals,” Ms Nicholas said.

“More than two-thirds of all childhood deaths in Zimbabwe occur between the time a woman learns she is pregnant and her child’s second birthday. A large number of these deaths are preventable.”

View the entire article online.