JAPAN has extended a grant of $100 000 for the construction of maternity waiting homes at five health institutions in Mount Darwin.
BY OUR STAFF
Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe Yoshi Hiraishi and Outcome Community Network director Offias Mutoro signed the grant contract at Mount Darwin District Hospital on Wednesday.
Hiraishi said the project would see the construction and furnishing of maternity waiting homes at Mount Darwin District Hospital and four rural clinics in Bandimba, Mutungagore, Mukumbura and Dotito.
“These five sites are the most in need of such facilities in this district in that they have higher number of deliveries as well as higher number of reported home deliveries. The facilities, once completed, will provide a safe and comfortable environment for pregnant women where they can access appropriate health service on time,” Hiraishi said.
He noted that Japan had actively supported Zimbabwe’s health sector as well as construction of such homes throughout the country in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund.
“It is critical for all pregnant women to give birth at health institutions in order to have safe deliveries and to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV,” he said.
“However, in reality, many of them fail to do so, resulting in a high rate of home deliveries because of difficulties in accessing health facilities on time due to long distance from home.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mutoro, whose organisation will oversee the project, said the country was fighting for zero infection to newborn babies through participatory prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Aids.
“This has led to the call that pregnant women should deliver their babies at health institutions where monitoring and management is professionally done by trained health personnel in decent facilities like the homes to be constructed,” he said.
Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs minister Martin Dinha, traditional and community leaders were also present at the event.
