LUSAKA Province Health Director Simulyamana Choonga says the province recorded a slight increase in maternal mortality rate last year.

Dr. Choonga noted that the province recorded 180 maternal deaths in 2024 compared to 2023 where 178 maternal deaths were recorded in the same period.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, Dr. Choonga attributed the rise in maternal mortality rate to lack of early antenatal visits in various health facilities.

Dr. Choonga however noted that only 32 percent of pregnant women attend early antenatal visits, a situation that has contributed to maternal mortality rate.

“The only challenge that we have been having is that mothers go late first time for antenatal, ideally every mother who is expecting should go for antenatal by 14 weeks but in our case only 32 percent of mothers do attend antenatal by 14 weeks most of them do come late and that leads to poor maternal health outcomes,” he said.

Dr. Choonga also noted that all maternal health indicators were successful, adding that a number of mothers who die in childbirth reduced from 278 to 195 per 100,000 live births indicating an improvement for the country,” he said 

Dr. Choonga added that the province also recorded 100 percent full vaccinations for the under five children during the child health week.

“All our children in Lusaka are fully vaccinated as a result of consistent funding we have been receiving,” he said.

He said the underweight ratio was also in the normal range despite the drought situation.

“With the drought of such a severe nature we expected that our underweight ratio would go up but it actually did not, it shows that the mitigation measures by the government produced results,” Dr. Choonga said.