Traditional leader Headman Katema, born Ngavaite Mahwana, has strongly warned his subjects against home deliveries, urging them to use health facilities in order to reduce maternal deaths and prevent the spread of HIV.
Speaking during a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) community dialogue at Katema Clinic in Gokwe South last Wednesday, Headman Katema said home deliveries had contributed to avoidable casualties among expecting mothers and infants, adding that reliance on traditional birth methods risked undermining global and national health gains.
“I am reading the riot act today. Home deliveries must stop. Every expecting mother must deliver at a clinic or hospital where skilled health workers are available. This is the only way to protect both mothers and children from unnecessary deaths and diseases,” he said.
Maternal mortality remains a major concern in Zimbabwe, with the WHO estimating that the country records 363 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births.
At the same time, paediatric HIV remains a burden, with an estimated 5 300 Aids-related deaths among children recorded in 2022 alone.
Gokwe South HIV focal person and community health nurse Nomatter Kamudande said delivering in health institutions reduces the risk of maternal and infant deaths, while also allowing access to PMTCT services, which can drastically cut new HIV infections in newborns.
“When mothers deliver in health facilities, they are attended to by skilled professionals who can quickly respond to complications,” said Kamudande.
“It also ensures they access PMTCT services, which significantly reduce the chances of babies being born with HIV.”
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She encouraged male involvement in maternal health.
“We urge men to accompany their wives for antenatal services because pregnancy care is a family responsibility,” said Kamudande.
“When couples get tested together for HIV and syphilis, it not only protects the unborn child, but also strengthens trust and support in the family.”
Headman Katema said cultural practices must evolve to protect lives.
“It is my duty as a leader to make sure my people embrace safer health practices. Giving birth at home is dangerous, outdated, and no longer acceptable. Anyone who resists this policy will be fined,” he warned.
Headman Katema said culture should never be used as an excuse for risking lives.
“We must move with the times. Culture should protect life, not endanger it,” he said.
The National Aids Council (NAC) in partnership with the Health and Child Care ministry has been rolling out awareness campaigns in Gokwe South, stressing the need for institutional deliveries and the uptake of PMTCT services to achieve national and international health targets.
NAC district Aids coordinator for Gokwe South Isaka Chiwara, said the programmes were designed to safeguard mothers and children from preventable deaths and new HIV infections.
“We are implementing various interventions, including PMTCT and encouraging early registration for antenatal services,” said Chiwara.
“If mothers book early and consistently attend clinics, we can drastically reduce paediatric HIV infections and improve maternal health outcomes.”
Gokwe South has an HIV prevalence of 5,9%.
Chiwara said the district is also implementing a cocktail of HIV intervention strategies through peer-led activities.
He said NAC was working in partnership with several organisations in its quest to reduce new HIV infections and end Aids by 2030.
