CHIEF Chikanta’s decision to fine two men in his chiefdom for not supporting and allowing their pregnant wives to access maternal health services at health facilities is highly commendable.
Maternal health has long been a major health concern across most African countries including Zambia. The lack of adequate healthcare facilities, trained medical professionals and resources has significantly contributed to high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.
For a long time, many women, especially in far-flung areas, have had limited or no access to well-equipped hospitals or clinics, making it difficult for them to receive proper antenatal care and access to skilled birth attendants, which has increased the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, leading to higher maternal mortality rates.
Maternal health is a critical aspect of a nation’s overall development. It not only reflects the well-being of women but also has profound implications for the entire society. Recognising the significance of this issue, Government has made remarkable efforts to enhance maternal health and reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in the country.
Government, in collaboration with international partners and NGOs, has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal health. These initiatives target various aspects of maternal health, including improving access to healthcare services and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
Government has taken significant steps to improve access to healthcare services for pregnant women. One key initiative is the provision of free maternal healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme Authority (NHIMA). This initiative has made antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care more accessible and affordable for women across the country. Additionally, Government has expanded the reach of healthcare services by establishing and upgrading rural health centres and clinics, particularly in remote areas. This has played a crucial role in bringing healthcare services closer to pregnant women and reducing the barriers they face in accessing care.
Recognising the importance of effective infrastructure in providing quality maternal healthcare, Government has invested heavily in upgrading healthcare facilities. This investment includes the construction and renovation of maternity wards and health centres, ensuring that they are adequately equipped to handle the needs of pregnant women. By expanding and improving the physical infrastructure of healthcare facilities, Government aims to enhance the quality of maternal healthcare services and create a safe and conducive environment for both mothers and healthcare providers.
This has been done using the mainstream national health budget and under the Constituency Development Fund.
A shortage of skilled healthcare providers has been a significant challenge in maternal health in Zambia. To address this issue, the Zambian government has placed a strong emphasis on training healthcare professionals, particularly midwives and obstetricians.
Last year, Government recruited 11,000 health workers across the country and the vast majority of those were deployed in rural areas in order to enhance professional health care services including maternal health.
In the coming year, more health workers are scheduled to be recruited which will further enhance maternal healthcare delivery.
In view of the critical role of maternal health, it is the duty of everyone to complement the efforts of government in enhancing it.
Husbands have a sacred duty to care for their wives and that care involves ensuring that their loved ones access maternal health care services when in the motherly way.
This is why we feel other traditional leaders should emulate Chief Chikanta in ensuring that all their subjects access maternal health care and husbands who refuse to support their wives to access it are punished.
As the chief noted, “maternal health is one critical issue and we are making sure that every mother goes for a regular check-up from the time they discover they are pregnant and that they deliver at a health facility”.
It is indeed important that all expectant mothers deliver at a health facility under the care of professional birth attendants.
It is sad that 11 out of the 76 maternal deaths recorded by Southern Province this year occurred in the community away from professional health care. Such deaths underscore the need to ensure that every
expectant mother accesses professional maternal health care. It also underscores the important role that men can play
to ensure their pregnant wives access appropriate health care.
Men should help wives access maternal health care
CHIEF Chikanta’s decision to fine two men in his chiefdom for not supporting and allowing their pregnant wives to access maternal health services at health facilities is highly commendable.
Maternal health has long been a major health concern across most African countries including Zambia. The lack of adequate healthcare facilities, trained medical professionals and resources has significantly contributed to high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.
For a long time, many women, especially in far-flung areas, have had limited or no access to well-equipped hospitals or clinics, making it difficult for them to receive proper antenatal care and access to skilled birth attendants, which has increased the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, leading to higher maternal mortality rates.
Maternal health is a critical aspect of a nation’s overall development. It not only reflects the well-being of women but also has profound implications for the entire society. Recognising the significance of this issue, Government has made remarkable efforts to enhance maternal health and reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in the country.
Government, in collaboration with international partners and NGOs, has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal health. These initiatives target various aspects of maternal health, including improving access to healthcare services and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
Government has taken significant steps to improve access to healthcare services for pregnant women. One key initiative is the provision of free maternal healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme Authority (NHIMA). This initiative has made antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care more accessible and affordable for women across the country. Additionally, Government has expanded the reach of healthcare services by establishing and upgrading rural health centres and clinics, particularly in remote areas. This has played a crucial role in bringing healthcare services closer to pregnant women and reducing the barriers they face in accessing care.
Recognising the importance of effective infrastructure in providing quality maternal healthcare, Government has invested heavily in upgrading healthcare facilities. This investment includes the construction and renovation of maternity wards and health centres, ensuring that they are adequately equipped to handle the needs of pregnant women. By expanding and improving the physical infrastructure of healthcare facilities, Government aims to enhance the quality of maternal healthcare services and create a safe and conducive environment for both mothers and healthcare providers.
This has been done using the mainstream national health budget and under the Constituency Development Fund.
A shortage of skilled healthcare providers has been a significant challenge in maternal health in Zambia. To address this issue, the Zambian government has placed a strong emphasis on training healthcare professionals, particularly midwives and obstetricians.
Last year, Government recruited 11,000 health workers across the country and the vast majority of those were deployed in rural areas in order to enhance professional health care services including maternal health.
In the coming year, more health workers are scheduled to be recruited which will further enhance maternal healthcare delivery.
In view of the critical role of maternal health, it is the duty of everyone to complement the efforts of government in enhancing it.
Husbands have a sacred duty to care for their wives and that care involves ensuring that their loved ones access maternal health care services when in the motherly way.
This is why we feel other traditional leaders should emulate Chief Chikanta in ensuring that all their subjects access maternal health care and husbands who refuse to support their wives to access it are punished.
As the chief noted, “maternal health is one critical issue and we are making sure that every mother goes for a regular check-up from the time they discover they are pregnant and that they deliver at a health facility”.
It is indeed important that all expectant mothers deliver at a health facility under the care of professional birth attendants.
It is sad that 11 out of the 76 maternal deaths recorded by Southern Province this year occurred in the community away from professional health care. Such deaths underscore the need to ensure that every
expectant mother accesses professional maternal health care. It also underscores the important role that men can play
to ensure their pregnant wives access appropriate health care.