Mothers in Zimbabwe struggle in hospital waiting shelters  

Many of them have no beds, no food, and no clean water while waiting to give birth.

Some are forced to sleep on the floor, cook their own food, and fetch water, even when they are close to delivery.

Lawmakers raised these concerns in parliament, highlighting that the conditions in maternity waiting homes are poor.

One MP, Sithabisiwe Moyo, said these shelters lack security and proper facilities.

“Expecting mothers need a proper place to rest and be admitted to hospitals, not just an empty room without bedding. These mothers are also not provided with food; they are told to find their own. Many of them come from distant areas,” she was quoted by Zimlive.

Deputy Health Minister Sleiman Kwidini admitted that some waiting shelters do not have enough resources.

According to him, the government is working with the Ministry of Public and Social Welfare to provide food, improve the shelters, and get better beds for these women.

However, he pointed out that providing water is not part of his ministry’s responsibility.

Kwidini meanwhile denied claims that the government has neglected these shelters. He said efforts are being made to build new ones and improve the old ones.

He also suggested that MPs use their Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to help build and maintain shelters in their areas.

Maternity waiting homes were introduced in Zimbabwe in the 1980s to help pregnant women, especially those from faraway places, stay close to hospitals before delivery.

Studies show that women who stay in these homes have better pregnancy outcomes. But today, many of these shelters are in bad shape, leaving expecting mothers in difficult conditions.