By Kuda Pembere
Envisioning improved health outcomes, philanthropic arm Higherlife Foundation (HLF) has donated maternal and neonatal health equipment worth US$240 000 to three central hospitals in Zimbabwe.
Receiving the equipment were Sally Mugabe Hospital, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital.
Higherlife Foundation Country Director Mr Philani Nyatsanza said the organisation remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the Government of Zimbabwe to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the country.
“Since 2020, Higherlife Foundation has grown our focus and efforts in maternal health by training doctors and nurses, funding equipment and maintaining it. This donation is a continuation of this effort,” Mr Nyatsanza said.
HLF considered these central hospitals on the basis of the workload these central hospitals handle by the nature of them being the largest referral hospitals.
“These hospitals were prioritised based on the high number of deliveries (new births) they handle due to their referral status, availability of specialist staff and presence of supporting infrastructure,” said HLF in a statement. “The equipment, which includes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, suction machines, monitors, jaundice meters, and phototherapy machines, is expected to improve the quality of care given to mothers and newborns during some of their most vulnerable times.”
Inasmuch as much can be done to drop the maternal mortality rates, this donation comes at a time when Zimbabwe has been making some progress in the reduction thereof.
“Zimbabwe continues to make progress towards improving services to expectant mothers and babies. According to the 2022 census, the maternal mortality ratio is estimated to be 362 per 100,000 live births and under-five mortality sits at 39.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. Both figures have been falling since 2019.
“More still needs to be done if Zimbabwe is to meet sustainable development goals for maternal and neonatal mortalities at 70 per 100,000 live births and 12 per 1,000 live births. The improvement of maternal health services should be a shared responsibility between Government, private sector and non-profit organisations,” HLF added.
