Ministry of Health Public Health Department Maternal Health

Ministry of Health Public Health Department Maternal Health Unit National Health Indaba

Main Goal • The goal of maternal health is to improve the health of women and reduce maternal deaths

Introduction • Mo. H will continue to make the health of women and their newborn a priority in an effort to reduce the maternal and newborn deaths. • For every 100 000 babies that are born alive, 398 women die from pregnancy related complications in Zambia (ZDHS 2013 -14). • For every 1000 live babies born, 24 babies die within 28 days of birth

Major causes of Maternal Deaths • Bleeding • Infection • High blood pressure (may cause fitting) • Unsafe abortion • Difficulty labour

Contributing Factors to maternal deaths • Long distances to health facilities • Cultural beliefs (e. g. , use of herbs to hasten labour) • Socio economic factors (low education status, no financial means)

Trends in Maternal Mortality Ratio per 100, 000 live births (ZDHS) by Year 729 800 700 649 729 649 591 600 591 500 398 400 398 300 200 [VALUE] 100 0 1996 2001 2007 YEAR MMR 2007 2013 2015

Institutional Maternal Deaths by Province, 2016 -2017 Institutional maternal deaths per 100, 000 institutional deliveries has reduced to 138 per 100, 000 in 2017

Programme Interventions • The Mo. H collaborating with its partners has been employing various interventions in fighting this high number of maternal deaths. • Some of the interventions include;

Strengthening of community structures SMAG Programme

Modern Mothers Waiting Homes Nkhanga RHC Mwase Lundazi RHC Nyangwe RHC Mano RHC Fimpulu RHC Lubende RHC

Equipped Maternity Annexes • Infrastructure - maternity blocks ( Senama, Central and Buntungwa) • Increased number of skilled HW – Contracts for midwives) • Functional equipment Equipment provided by Project Cure

Availability of skilled birth attendants

Improved transport Procurement of ambulances, utility vehicles and motorbikes

Regular data & Maternal Death Review Meetings

Encourage family planning

Challenges • Low demand for family planning services • High number of maternal deaths • Negative cultural and traditional beliefs • High teenage pregnancy & Child marriages • Increasing number of pregnant women dying from injuries associated with Gender Based Violence • Low male involvement in maternal health issues

Call to Action • Religious Leaders to be champions for maternal health • Creation of Health Desks to discuss maternal health • Encourage positive health messages in religious programmes (Marriage counselling, youth programs) • Sensitizing members on importance of seeking early ANC

Call to Action… • Support community sensitization on importance of Family Planning, early ANC booking and facility delivery Religious leaders should advocate for facility deliveries • Help address harmful traditional practices related to maternal health e. g. use of herbs during labour • Embrace literacy programmes for their members

Thank You for Listening No woman should die while giving life!