By Rungano Dzikira

Zimbabwe has recorded a 24% decrease in maternal mortality rate, dropping from 614 per 100 000 live births in 2014, to 462 per 100 000 live births this year, according to the latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019.

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Zimbabwe Country Representative, Laylee Moshiri applauded these figures and commended government’s efforts towards improving mothers’ livelihoods.

“Due to collaborative efforts by government and developing partners, the country has registered great improvement in the areas of maternity and child health with maternal mortality having dropped by 24% from 614 per 100 000 live births in 2014 to 462 per 100 000 live births this 2019. This is a major achievement and I think we should be all proud,” said the UNICEF representative.

In 2017, the new dispensation scrapped payment of maternity fees in government hospitals, a situation which saw the less privileged gaining access to health care hence decreasing the mortality rate.   

Maternal mortality rate is the number of women who die during pregnancy and childbirth per 100 000 live births.