The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) has raised urgent concerns regarding the alarming rise in child mortality rates at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, following a recent report calling attention to a significant increase in neonatal de_ths.
Led by Bulawayo Chapter Chairperson Sibonile Ngwenya, WCoZ representatives visited the hospital to demand immediate accountability from the healthcare facility amidst distressing statistics that revealed 280 child de_ths recorded between January and April 2024, predominantly neonatal fatalities.
This call to action comes despite assurances from the Ministry of Health and Child Care that protective measures for pr3gnant women and newborns were underway, indicating a troubling disconnect between policy and practice at one of the region’s primary healthcare centers.
In their formal complaint lodged with the hospital’s Public Relations Office, the coalition expressed overwhelming concern for bereaved families and the community, emphasizing that the current mortality rate is a dire reflection of the state of healthcare services.
The WCoZ accused the hospital of inadequate staffing, outdated medical equipment, and insufficient training for healthcare personnel, which have all contributed to the prevailing substandard care for mothers and their newborns.
Moreover, the coalition pointed to long-standing issues such as inadequate antenatal and postnatal care and poor infection control practices, which have exacerbated the crisis, thereby calling for a thorough investigation into the causes of these neonatal d3aths.
Highlighting the global context, the coalition noted that neonatal mortality remains a critical issue worldwide, with Zimbabwe’s rate of 34 d3aths per 1,000 live births far surpassing the regional average.
They pointed out that the government has set a target to reduce this figure to 12 d3aths per 1,000 live births by 2030, reflecting the commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, WCoZ requested access to up-to-date infant mortality statistics to assess the effectiveness of the hospital’s measures to address this alarming trend, echoing community anxieties over inadequate care amidst resource shortages.
During their visit, the coalition engaged hospital officials, urging them to provide detailed responses to their complaints and to take decisive measures to improve service delivery, particularly in maternity and neonatal care, as the community looks on with hopes for meaningful change at Mpilo Central Hospital.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
