Rural hospital reducing maternal deaths

Zomba district health office has said the endorsement of Pirimiti Health Centre as a referral hospital for maternal cases has helped to reduce maternal deaths in the district.

The office approved Pirimiti to become a referral hospital after meeting some requirements in handling such cases through a project called ‘Improving Maternal and Newborn Health’ being implemented by Zomba Research and Development Department (Zardd).

This was said during a meeting Zardd held on Friday in Zomba where stakeholders, including community leaders, discussed health issues affecting their communities. 

Speaking at the meeting, Zomba district health officer Dr. Gift Kawalazira said they decided to make Pirimiti hospital a referral facility for maternal cases since it has enough staff and equipment.

“The health centre also has an ambulance on standby which brings in patients from the surrounding five health centres,” he said.

In her remarks, Zardd health services coordinator Arsenia Banda said the maternal health project is also focusing on extending modern family planning methods in all its catchment areas.

Eight bicycle ambulances have since been distributed in eight villages surrounding Pirimiti Health Centre to ease transportation problems. n