No more roadside births

By Fostina Mkandawire:

For decades, women in Senior Chief Makanjira in Salima District have faced unimaginable challenges when it comes to accessing maternity care.

Women walked up to 20 kilometres, sometimes in labour, to reach the nearest health centre.

Some never made it, giving birth on the side of the road or losing their lives due to a lack of timely medical attention.

Mbochele Ndaziona, a 28-year-old woman from Kwineng’ene Village, recounts her struggles from the past when she was in labour but had to endure the 20-kilometre walk to reach Khombedza Health Centre.

“It was the most horrific experience of my entire life. Finding transportation was a huge challenge at that time because only vehicles were used for transportation, unlike today when motorcycles are locally available,” Ndaziona narrates.

She remembers how she slept on the roadside with her mother by her side, waiting for well-wishers to offer a lift to the hospital.

Being her first pregnancy, she says it was difficult to recognise the onset of labour pains, hence the delay in travelling to the hospital.

In her words, upon reaching the hospital, she was assisted. Fortunately, everything went well and she did not encounter any major challenges due to the delay in seeking maternity care.

Litinesi Abdul, 30, from the same village, also recalls how giving birth was often a life-threatening ordeal.

“We faced a gruelling and sometimes dangerous journey while in labour. The long walk, sometimes with no form of transportation, was a test of endurance and willpower,” she states.

But now, there is hope. A new health facility will alleviate these agonising challenges.

This facility, strategically located within reach of the community, has brought maternity care closer to the women of Senior Chief Makanjira.

Summarising the ordeals of his people, the local leader attests that the health facility represents a lifeline to thousands of women who have long been denied the most basic health services.

“With its strategic location, the facility will provide comprehensive maternity services, from antenatal care to safe deliveries, all within the community’s reach. I remember one woman; she was in labour and had no way to get to the hospital.

“She walked for hours, but when she finally arrived, it was too late. She gave birth on the road and the baby didn’t survive. She passed away shortly after,” he recalls.

In his area, the absence of nearby maternity care contributed to high maternal and infant mortality rates, a grim reality that many families had to endure.

“We have seen too many women suffer; too many lives lost. This new facility will make a huge difference. No more women will have to walk several kilometres, risking their lives to get the care they deserve,” he adds.

Esther Chiwenda, a nursing and midwifery technician at Mnema Health Centre, says the facility has been furnished with modern medical equipment, staffed by trained professionals and designed to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for women during pregnancy, labour and delivery.

“The facility will also offer postnatal care, ensuring that both mothers and babies receive the attention they need in the critical days following childbirth,” Chiwenda says.

She adds that the benefits of the new facility extend far beyond just safer deliveries.

For women in this community, it means they no longer have to choose between risking their lives and giving birth in uncertain conditions.

“They can now look forward to prenatal visits with trained healthcare professionals, reducing the risk of complications during pregnancy.

“The fear of dying in childbirth is real for many women here, but now they will be able to deliver in a hospital, surrounded by doctors and nurses,” Chiwenda explains.

In addition to maternity care, the facility will serve as a hub for maternal education, equipping women with the knowledge they need to take charge of their health and well-being.

Health workers will be trained to offer guidance on nutrition, family planning and early child development, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire families and future generations.

Director of Public Works at Salima District Council, Harris Kumwenda, commended the Performance-Based Grant (PBG) supported by the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (Gesd) project for enhancing collaboration and accountability among sectors.

Kumwenda explains how Salima District Council ensures it qualifies for the PBGs after being evaluated through Local Authority Performance Assessments.

Kumwenda cites an example of the first project that the council implemented through the first grant the district received under Gesd; the K460 million Mnema Maternity Wing.

“The maternity wing required essential facilities such as staff houses, a dispensary, a water tank and proper toilets, for it to be certified as a proper health facility that can offer quality services to the community,” he says.

Mnema Maternity Wing was officially opened by Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, on February 16, 2025, bringing great joy to the community.

In total, about K800 million has been disbursed to Salima District Council for three Gesd cycles, from the 2021-22 cycle to the 2023-24 cycle, for the implementation of various projects.—Mana