By Virginia Njovo
Villagers from Zaka South breathed a sigh of relief after receiving a fully equipped mother’s waiting shelter from SolidarMed at one of their local clinics, following years without an operational facility.
Chiredzana Rural Health Centre, established in 1963, serves a catchment area of approximately 13,000 people. Expecting mothers previously had to travel nearly 35 kilometers to Mashoko Hospital after the old structure was condemned for being sub-standard, which resulted in a number of them either giving birth at home or on the way to the clinic.
Speaking to TellZim News during the commissioning of the shelter and nurses’ quarters on November 30, Ward 31 Councillor Tumai Madzikona highlighted the difficulties women in his area endured. He noted that they had to walk long distances when due for delivery, risking the lives of both mothers and their unborn children.
“Women from my area used to go to Mashoko Mission Hospital, approximately 35 kilometers via the main road or about 25 kilometers using shortcuts, which took around four hours. This was a difficult situation for expecting mothers. Most of them ended up giving birth at their homesteads, which is risky for both mother and newborn,” said Madzikona.
SolidarMed, a non-profit organization operating in Masvingo Province—covering Zaka, Bikita, Chiredzi, and parts of Masvingo District for over half a century—specializes in HIV, maternal and neonatal health, non-communicable diseases, adolescent health, oral health, and digital health. The organization injected US$55,000 to construct a mother’s home, which can shelter six mothers at a time, as well as staff houses.
Memory Zhou, an elderly woman from Ward 31, expressed relief that the maternity home will easy the burden on their community. She explained how it eliminated the fear of young mothers enduring long waits far from home during delivery.
“Young mothers used to go as far as Mashoko or Msiso to wait for delivery, which worried us as elders. We were often unable to see them regularly, and it was difficult to bring them basic necessities. Now, we are happy and appreciate those who made this waiting home available,” said Zhou.
Another villager, Nelisa Kunodziya, added that the shelter would significantly reduce the risk of mothers giving birth on the road while en route to the hospital.
“Waiting mothers were at risk of giving birth on their way to the clinic, especially first-time mothers, as they often miscalculated their delivery dates. The shelter will help us avoid such scenarios,” said Kunodziya.
SolidarMed Project Coordinator Justin Mahuni commended the engagement of stakeholders, which he described as key to the project’s success.
“We actively engaged a diverse range of stakeholders, including our primary partner, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), local government—who own the facility—as well as community leaders and residents. They all showed remarkable commitment and active participation throughout the process,” said Mahuni.
Mahuni expressed high hopes for the project’s impact on improving maternal health services and reducing home deliveries.
“We aim to improve maternal health services and increase health awareness within the community. One of the key outcomes we expect is a significant reduction in home deliveries, as more mothers will use the mother’s waiting home and associated healthcare facilities.
“We hope to see measurable improvements in maternal health, as the waiting mothers’ home will provide a safe and supportive environment, leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and their newborns,” said Mahuni.
Chiredzana Clinic averages five deliveries per month, with one or two deliveries occurring weekly. The new mothers’ waiting shelter accommodates up to six mothers at a time, both before and after delivery.
Maternal health remains a critical issue in Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas where many mothers face unsafe delivery conditions. Greater attention is needed in remote areas to address maternal health challenges.
