GOVERNMENT has underscored the critical need for comprehensive maternal and newborn healthcare accessible to all women, regardless of socio-economic background, in a bid to combat high maternal mortality rates and debilitating conditions like obstetric fistula.
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Obstetric fistula is one of the most devastating and preventable childbirth injuries, primarily affecting women and girls in low-resource areas.
It is a hole that develops in the birth canal, most commonly between the vagina and bladder or, less frequently, between the vagina and rectum, as a result of prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely medical intervention.
Speaking yesterday at the launch of Safe Motherhood Week and International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, Central Province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa emphasised that every woman is entitled to high-quality healthcare, from prenatal to postnatal support, to ensure safe pregnancies, childbirth, and infancy.
Nkulukusa highlighted the urgent need to address obstetric fistula, a condition he described as not only physically debilitating but also having severe social and economic repercussions.
“Every woman deserves to experience the joys of motherhood without the burden of obstetric fistula,” he stated, asserting that it is a collective responsibility to eradicate this preventable condition.
Despite progress in reducing Zambia’s maternal mortality ratio, significant challenges persist.
Nkulukusa revealed that approximately 10 to 15 women die every week from preventable causes related to childbirth.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to prioritising healthcare in its developmental goals, Nkulukusa acknowledged the need to improve maternal health service delivery, recruit qualified healthcare workers, and mitigate barriers to safe motherhood.
“Addressing the barriers to safe motherhood is not just a priority for Zambia, but a necessity,” he said.
He added that by implementing strategies for universal health coverage, the government aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.
The minister further stressed the importance of increasing community awareness regarding the dangers of home deliveries and educating the public on maternal and newborn health.
He urged stakeholders to reinforce efforts towards safe motherhood, emphasising these objectives as crucial for reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba May 24, 2025
