Women in Gweru are advocating for the reintroduction of maternity services at city clinics to enhance access to maternal health care. This initiative was emphasized during a recent Women’s Rights Advocacy campaign organized by the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ).
Merjury Makunere, chairperson of the WCoZ Gweru chapter, highlighted the pressing need for maternal clinics to alleviate the challenges faced by pregnant women who currently travel long distances for medical services.
Historically, clinics such as Mkoba 1 provided essential maternity services, but these have since been discontinued. Makunere stressed the importance of reviving these facilities, stating, “Access to health, especially by expectant mothers, should be one of the council’s top priorities.” The limited availability of maternal health services is leading to overcrowding at Mkoba Polyclinic, the only facility in the area that currently offers such services. This congestion further complicates access for women in need of care.
Disability rights advocate Nyasha Mahwende added that women with disabilities face even greater challenges, often traveling long distances to reach health centers. “Imagine what an expectant mother with a disability has to go through to access maternal health facilities,” she said. Mahwende’s comments underscore the urgent need for the city council to address these disparities and ensure that maternal health services are reintroduced at local clinics.
In response to these concerns, Ward 6 Councillor Lovemore Choto acknowledged the council’s commitment to improving access to health services in its budgeting process. He mentioned plans to convert the Mkoba 18 liquor off-sale into a clinic and assured residents that their concerns regarding the need for maternal health services at clinics like Mkoba 1 would be taken into account. Currently, only two clinics in Gweru, Mkoba Polyclinic and Mtapa Clinic, offer delivery services, highlighting the critical gap in maternal health care that needs to be addressed.
The call for enhanced maternal health services is not just a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental right for women in Gweru. As the city council considers these requests, the hope is that accessible and comprehensive maternal health services will soon be restored to support expectant mothers in the community.
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