MATERNAL DEATH RATES INCREASES

The Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has evinced worries on death increment of expectant mothers with 70 percent every year in Zomba district.

Zomba Central Hospital

The statistics from 2019 to 2023 indicate that there is high increase of maternal death rates in the district.

“It has become an aggravating situation because most of the pregnant women deliver home by Midwives (Azamba) which risks their lives. They are prone to diseases and infections because these Azamba have no enough equipment to conduct safe delivery,” The Minister said.

Chiponda added that some Azamba use razor blades and threads to cut the umbilical cord which is dangerous to mothers on delivery.

Speaking to the Public Relation Officer for Zomba Central Hospital, Arnold Mdalira emphasized that there is a problem on antenatal program because expectant mothers walk long distance to come to the hospital which make them feel lazy not attend the program.

“We have organised a sensitization on a daily basis and reach out the information to people coming to the hospital for safe delivery because we have plenty of trained professional to help them,” Mdalira said. 

Regina Mbewe said that she lost her daughter because of lack of transport, therefore community hospitals are needed for expectant mothers they would rush to for delivery. 

“We struggle for transportation to get there on time because we live in rural areas far from the Central Hospital and sometimes women give birth on mid-way to the hospital being carried on a bicycle,” she added.

The country is at loss which creates hard life for newly born babies to grow up without a biological mother.