Reducing maternal mortality in SADC is possible
Date: December 13, 2020
By Sifisosami Dube,
Johannesburg, 11 December : As soon as she settles down to eat her breakfast, Gogo Snanzeni is interrupted by a boy who has been sent to tell her that her midwifery services are urgently needed. She immediately realises that she has to walk almost five kilometres to assist Lindi to deliver her baby. With her kit ready, she embarks on the long journey.
Many rural areas in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region have a traditional midwife or Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) in their midst. The poor investment in maternal health infrastructure in many rural areas has seen many women give birth without skilled birth attendants. Despite many years of experience for most traditional midwifes, there is need to innovate and build their capacity to ensure that no woman loses her life whilst giving birth.