Authorities in Petauke District of Eastern Province have bemoaned the high numbers of home deliveries being recorded in the district. Petauke District Commissioner (DC) Martha Mulenga says the trend is a threat to both maternal and neonatal health. She was speaking during the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – supported fourth quarter maternal and perinatal death surveillance response meeting, for Lusangazi and Petauke Districts.
“It has come to our attention that both districts are recording a lot of home deliveries, and we are supposed to find a solution as a Committee, together with their royal highnesses. Just three days ago, I received complaints that Petauke urban areas are recording a lot of home deliveries,” Ms Mulenga said. And Chief Nyamphande who was represented by Joyce Mwanza, attributed this trend to the demands made by health institutions during delivery.
“They demand to bring six pieces of brand new materials (Chitenges). This scares some people off, especially those who cannot afford those items at the time they are needed,” she lamented. Meanwhile the CRS Senior District Project Officer, under Mayi na Mwana II project, Stanley Sampa, said the institution had carried out a survey to ascertain why the district is in such a position.
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Mr Sampa indicated that most reasons bordered on the individual women’s attitude. “We did a survey where we followed up all women who delivered from home. So, most of the reasons being given are just excuses.
You find that a person who stays just half a kilometer from a clinic delivers from home and when we tried to inquire, we were told it is because of transport challenges, he said. “This behaviour has more to do with attitude. The other thing we noted is that the earlier established by-laws are not being implemented,” Mr Sampa added.
Meanwhile, Chief Mumbi has called for effective communication as a remedy to the situation. He said in his Chiefdom, the numbers of home deliveries have reduced as a result of effective communication amongst his people, the traditional leadership and the health personnel.
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