Maternal Near Miss

Zimbabwe has ratified several global initiatives that aim at improving maternal health. In addition, the Government of Zimbabwe has enunciated far-reaching policies and strategies to improve maternal health. These include National Health Strategy (2009-2013), Maternal and Neonatal Road Map (2007-2015), the National Reproductive Health Policy (2004) and the National Population Policy (1994). However, despite all these investments and commitments, maternal ill-health continues to be a considerable public health concern in Zimbabwe. Maternal morbidity and mortality levels in Zimbabwe are ominously high; with women succumbing to common and preventable life threatening complications during pregnancy, childbirth and in the postpartum period. The poor maternal health as evidenced by high maternal mortality rate of 651 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births (ZDHS, 2015) is self-evident that Zimbabwe has failed to achieve the sustainable development Goal of improving maternal health.