Deputy Health and Child Care minister, Sleiman Kwidini, says the government is committed to reducing maternal and perinatal deaths, saying no woman or child should die from preventable causes.
Kwidini said maternal and newborn health remains a national priority under Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
“Every maternal or perinatal death is one too many," he said while officiating at the National Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Committee meeting at Marondera Provincial Hospital in Mashonaland East Province.
"These are not just statistics they represent real lives lost, families broken, and communities affected. As a Ministry, we are determined to identify the causes, respond decisively, and ultimately eliminate preventable deaths,”he said
Kwidini emphasised the importance of data-driven interventions and accountability in improving maternal and child health outcomes.
"Evidence-based decision-making is essential. We must analyse every death, understand the gaps in service delivery, and take action,” he said.
The MPDSR committee, comprising senior healthcare officials from across the country, is meeting to assess trends, share experiences, and recommend targeted strategies to reduce the country’s maternal and neonatal mortality rates, which remain unacceptably high despite recent improvements.
Kwidini said more needs to be done to ensure that women have access to quality maternal health services, especially in rural areas.
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“While we have made strides through the introduction of skilled birth attendants and improved access to antenatal care, we must scale up our efforts. No woman should die while giving life, and no newborn should be lost due to avoidable complications,” he said.
He also called for multi-sectoral collaboration, including the involvement of communities, traditional leaders, and development partners.
“We must work together government, civil society, and families — to strengthen our health systems. It is only through collective effort that we will reach our national and global targets for maternal and child health,” Kwidini added.
