Maternal health in Zimbabwe -Winner 2015 MCZ Awards Best Audio

The current maternal mortality rate of 960 deaths per 100,000 live births is significantly higher than the rate of 612 deaths per 100,000 live births recorded for 2005–2006. Maternal health-related issues are responsible for the death of 12% of women aged 15-49 as of 2010–2011. There has been a decrease in the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel, especially in rural areas.

Major challenges remain, including unaffordable maternity fees, reduced attendance of expectant mothers at antenatal clinics due to associated costs or distances to clinics and the inability of some women to make choices on reproductive health issues due to social or cultural pressures.