IN the bustling Mbare township of Harare, expectant mother Tendai anxiously awaits her latest prenatal check-up.
After two previous high-risk pregnancies, she’s grateful for the accessible, quality care she’s receiving at the local community health clinic.
“I was so scared before, but the midwives here have made me feel safe and supported throughout this journey,” she said in a recent interview.
Tendai’s experience reflects a remarkable transformation underway in Zimbabwe's maternal healthcare system.
Once plagued by soaring maternal mortality rates and limited access to prenatal/postnatal services, the country has embarked on an innovative crusade to ensure safer, more empowering childbirth experiences for women like her.
Through pioneering programmes, strategic partnerships and a holistic, integrated approach to community health, Zimbabwe is blazing a trail in reducing childbirth risks and championing maternal wellbeing.
Zimbabwe has faced immense challenges in this realm in recent years, according to the National Health Strategy 2020.
In 2018, the country recorded a maternal mortality ratio of 462 deaths per 100 000 live births, more than double the global average.
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Health experts note that factors like poverty, lack of healthcare infrastructure, transportation barriers and entrenched cultural norms all contributed to this alarming statistic.
Many expectant mothers, especially in rural areas, were simply unable to access the quality care and support they needed.
But a turning point came when government and key stakeholders, including private healthcare providers like Cimas and First Mutual Life, joined forces, though at different stages, to overhaul the maternal healthcare system.
“We realised we had to take valiant, comprehensive action to protect the lives of mothers and their babies,” said Simbarashe Mabaya director for maternal and child health in the Health and Child Care ministry at a recent health symposium in the capital, Harare.
This mobilisation led to a wave of innovative initiatives taking root across the country.
In remote villages, mobile health clinics now bring crucial prenatal and postnatal services directly to expectant mothers’ doorsteps.
Telemedicine programmes harness digital technology to connect rural women with urban specialists, ensuring high-risk pregnancies receive expert monitoring.
Grassroots midwife training programmes are empowering community health workers to provide hands-on support and education.
However, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) argues that it is still worrying that Zimbabwe continues to face significant challenges with maternal and infant mortality rates.
“The infant and neonatal mortality rates are extremely high despite the availability of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions for maternal and child health,” stated Itai Rusike, the executive director for CWGH, at a recent health conference in Harare.
He further stated that prioritising maternal and child health breaks the cycle of poverty and illness, ensuring that no mother dies while giving life and every child has an opportunity to thrive.
Back in Mbare, Tendai has directly benefited from these technological advancements.
When complications arose during her third pregnancy, the local clinic was able to quickly connect her with a maternal-foetal medicine specialist via video consultation.
“They caught the issue early and provided the specialised care I needed,” she said.
“I’m so grateful my baby and I are healthy.”
The impact of this maternal health revolution is being felt nationwide.
According to the latest data, Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality ratio has dropped to 349 deaths per 100 000 live births — a significant improvement, though still higher than the global target.
Prenatal visit attendance has risen sharply and more women are delivering in healthcare facilities with skilled birth attendants.
Crucially, this progress is also empowering Zimbabwean women to have a stronger voice in their own care.
“I used to just passively accept whatever the doctors told me,” said first-time mother Farai, at Old Tafara Family Health Centre, in a recent interview.
Private entity, First Mutual Life (FML) is committed to partnering local health groups to revolutionise maternal healthcare in Zimbabwe and ensure all women have access to quality, empowering birthing experiences.
“Integrated, community-focused approach with robust health data is key to supporting healthier pregnancies and deliveries,” said FML chief executive officer (CEO) Douglas Hoto while addressing a health symposium in Harare recently.
Health experts note that the shift in patient-health provider dynamics is central to the integrated, holistic approach Zimbabwe is championing.
“It’s not just about improving medical services, it’s about fostering trusting relationships and uplifting women’s agency,” explained Cimas CEO Vulindlela Ndlovu at a recent health conference in the capital.
“When mothers feel heard, respected, and supported, that’s when true transformation happens,” he added.
However, the work is far from over.
Entrenched cultural norms and resource constraints continue to pose barriers, especially in rural areas.
Hence, maternal health advocates are calling for increased funding, expanded training programmes and deeper community engagement to sustain the momentum that will also reach out to the marginalised.
The success stories emerging from Zimbabwe’s maternal health revolution offer powerful inspiration.
Tendai, now a proud mother of three, is one of them.
“I used to be so afraid, but now I know I have a community of caring professionals behind me,” she lamented.
“That is making all the difference.”
Hospitals in Zimbabwe, too, have been making strides in eliminating maternal mortality owing to ongoing interventions by government, according to medical experts.
“Looking three years back, the number of maternal deaths was on the high side. In 2024, we had only one, which is a very significant improvement from the previous year,” Mutare district medical officer David Muchirewese told NewsDay recently.
“In terms of maternal deaths, monthly, we would be having 30 to 40 deaths. We have had significant improvement due to training which is ongoing. We have had what we call images of maternal and neonatal care training which were done,” he added.
As Zimbabwe continues innovating and building on this progress, the promise of safer, more empowering childbirth experiences for all women grows ever brighter.
One life-giving moment at a time, this transformative movement is rewriting the country’s maternal health narrative.
