In Zimbabwe, new mothers face difficulties obtaining Child Health Cards due to an artificial shortage and black-market sales. The cards, crucial for tracking infant health, are unavailable at clinics and often must be purchased illicitly. High inflation and corruption among healthcare workers exacerbate these issues, alongside the recent return of maternity fees, placing additional burdens on mothers. Without reform, these systemic challenges persist, threatening maternal and child health in the country.
The situation faced by new mothers in Zimbabwe has become increasingly challenging due to an artificial shortage of Child Health Cards, which are essential for tracking children’s health and vaccinations. First-time mother Connie Jowa found herself in line at a crowded clinic in Harare, seeking a card that has mysteriously become unavailable at public health facilities. Although these cards are intended to be provided for free, they are often available for purchase on the black market, exacerbating the stress for mothers in need of these important documents.
The Child Health Cards are crucial for maintaining accurate medical histories for children, but many mothers are now forced to create their own records on scraps of paper due to the lack of available cards. With over 3,000 babies born each month in Harare’s council clinics, the demand for these cards far exceeds their supply. Jowa expressed her frustration, wishing to keep track of her child’s vaccination information but unable to do so without the card. The situation is further complicated by reports of clinic staff engaging in the unlawful sale of these cards, some pocketing significant sums from desperate mothers.
The challenge of obtaining Child Health Cards reflects broader issues within Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, including the erratic supply of these documents. Prosper Chonzi, the director of health for the City of Harare, has acknowledged that the ministry’s supply chain has been inconsistent, leaving mothers vulnerable to being exploited. Additionally, the reintroduction of maternity fees in public hospitals has created further financial strain on families, adding to the challenges new mothers face in accessing care.
While maternal healthcare in Zimbabwe once benefited from a scheme providing free deliveries, issues of economic constraint and inflation have emerged, leading to increased corruption among healthcare workers seeking bribes for services. A significant proportion of individuals surveyed reported being pressured for bribes while accessing healthcare, indicating a systemic corruption issue that hampers effective medical provision.
Prudence Hanyani, a community activist, has voiced concerns over the financial burden that reintroduced user fees will impose on mothers who are already managing extra costs for better care. Valerie Shangwa, another mother, underscores the hardships faced without a proper record of her child’s health, struggling to recall important medical information due to the absence of the Child Health Card.
Despite attempts to address the shortage, a representative from the Ministry of Health mentioned that inefficiencies in the supply chain and lack of funding from donors contribute to the ongoing issue. In the interim, mothers continue to face the harsh reality of navigating a dysfunctional system, often having to choose between their financial stability and their child’s health.
The plight of new mothers in Zimbabwe illustrates significant systemic failures in the healthcare sector, particularly regarding the accessibility of Child Health Cards, which are crucial for tracking infants’ health. The onset of black-market sales highlights corruption among healthcare workers and the strain caused by reintroducing maternity fees. As a result, mothers often have to make difficult choices compromising their children’s healthcare for necessities. Without serious reform, these challenges will likely persist, further endangering maternal and child health in the country.
Original Source: globalpressjournal.com
