Zambia: The District Commissioner of Kafue Maurice Hikapulwe has asked the District Health department to aim for zero maternal deaths. The healthcare sector of the county should make it their priority to meet this mandate during the in the third quarter of 2024.
District Commissioner Hikapulwe says government is always committed to supporting all the health facilities. They are dedicated to attaining zero maternal and perinatal deaths.
He noted that in the current quarter, Kafue recorded one maternal death, six stillbirths, one neonatal death with nine macerated stillbirths. The officials have thus suggested that it is important take some steps to prevent these statistics from repeating
The district Commissioner made these remarks when he was officiating at the second quarter Maternal Death Surveillance response review meeting. Maurice Hikapulwe said there is a need to further reduce the number and deaths being recorded by working together.
“We need to continue to work together putting in more effort to further reduce the number of deaths being recorded. We aim for zero in the next quarter, and this can only be achieved through teamwork in addressing challenges that are faced at various levels,” Mr Hikapulwe said.
He expressed hope that the District Health Department will attain the maternal health goal during thisuarter. He said that no woman should die while giving birth but live to have a live birth.
Meanwhile, Kafue District Health Director Sydney Hamusonde noted that it was unfortunate that the district recorded maternal deaths in the first and second quarters of this year.
Dr. Hamusonde stated that the department is working hard to ensure that no mother who goes to deliver loses her life or that of the child.
“We don’t want to see any mother who goes to deliver lose a life or that of the child,” said Dr Hamusonde.
He further urged the health personnel at all levels to give important information to pregnant mothers to safeguard their lives as well as that of their child.
The Total maternal deaths for Kafue District from January to June 2024 stands at two (2).