Challenges Faced by New Mothers in Zimbabwe Amid Child Health Card Crisis
New mothers in Zimbabwe face extortion in obtaining Child Health Cards, which are crucial for tracking infant health. Despite claims of sufficient production, these documents are reportedly unavailable in health facilities, leading to a shadow market. The return of unofficial maternity fees adds further burden to mothers. Economic pressures and systemic corruption exacerbate the challenges in accessing basic health care services, putting maternal health at risk.
The resurgence of maternity fees and the illicit sale of essential Child Health Cards in Zimbabwe present significant challenges for new mothers, adding strain to an already faltering health system. In clinics across Harare, mothers like Connie Jowa, who are in search of child health cards, face an unsettling reality where these crucial documents are claimed to be in perpetual shortage, prompting a shadow market for their acquisition.
These Child Health Cards are essential for tracking the growth and vaccination history of infants. However, since July 2024, these cards have become almost impossible to obtain from public health facilities, despite manufacturers indicating that production levels are adequate. Consequently, mothers are coerced into purchasing these cards in clandestine transactions, further highlighting the systemic failures of the health care infrastructure that is meant to protect the most vulnerable populations.
The transaction for acquiring a Child Health Card has become an open secret among clinic staff, with reports that nurses are complicit in the selling process. Simbarashe James Tafirenyika from the Zimbabwe Municipality’s Nurses and Allied Workers Union notes that staff involved in these sales pocket substantial amounts, leaving the government with no financial gain from these illicit transactions.
Mothers often resort to makeshift record-keeping for their children’s medical history when the card system fails. The urgent demand for such cards underscores the administrative breakdown within the health system, which is supposed to guarantee every mother receives one at birth. Women report significant distress at being unable to keep accurate records of their children’s vaccinations and health history.
Although the Ministry of Health attributes the shortage of Child Health Cards to supply chain issues, the reality reflects deeper systemic problems exacerbated by economic pressures. Concurrently, recent introductions of unofficial maternity fees highlight the increasingly burdensome reality for mothers, who are already managing additional costs in a challenging economic environment.
Historical data indicate a correlation between the halting of maternity fees and improved maternal health outcomes; however, the return of such fees could endanger gains made in maternal health. The struggle against bribery within healthcare services due to rising inflation creates added pressure on health workers, compounding the challenges faced by vulnerable populations relying on these services.
Women like Valerie Shangwa, who recently gave birth, illustrate the critical gaps in health care access. They are forced to navigate a system where they must either contend with insufficient documentation or resort to potentially corrupt practices. Expert commentary emphasizes that the shortages in Child Health Cards are more reflective of inadequate health infrastructure rather than actual supply limitations.
Both the Ministry of Health and various healthcare organizations acknowledge the shortcomings in the supply and management of Child Health Cards, yet mothers continue to be disenfranchised by a healthcare system that fails to provide basic support. While efforts are discussed regarding systemic improvements, for now, women remain in a precarious position as they struggle to secure the essential documentation for their children.
The plight of new mothers in Zimbabwe underscores a critical failure within the health care system, exacerbated by extortion for vital Child Health Cards. Despite the perceived availability of these cards, a shadow market persists, revealing systemic corruption and inefficiency. As economic struggles loom and maternity fees resurface, new mothers find themselves bearing the brunt of a dysfunctional health care system that increasingly burdens those who can least afford it. The need for reform in supply chain management and healthcare accessibility is urgent to alleviate the challenges faced by these women and ensure effective maternal health services.
Original Source: globalpressjournal.com
