The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
RUSAPE was plunged into deep mourning when a pregnant woman who had an ultrasound scan that recommended a Caesarean section spurned medical advice and died in labour at an apostolic shrine.
The shocking maternal death of Esther Mukadiro-Nyahoda, of Sanzaguru in Rusape, last week, left many residents seething with anger and had unkind words for her husband, Mandi Nyahoda, for prioritising religious beliefs when an ultrasound scan had detected that she had twins, one of whom was in a breech position. Makoni District Medical Officer, Dr Tendai Nyafesa, confirmed the incident, but could not shed more light citing restrictive protocol.
“I was on leave when the incident happened and I have not been fully briefed about that particular case. We had two cases of maternal death, but the audit process to establish what really transpired has not been carried out as those responsible are away,” said Dr Nyafesa.
The Provincial Medical Director, Dr Patron Mafaune, was not readily available for a comment as her mobile number was constantly unreachable on Wednesday.
Most babies will move into delivery position a few weeks prior to birth, with the head moving closer to the birth canal – when this fails to happen, the baby’s buttocks or feet will be positioned to be delivered first – this is referred to as “breech presentation”.
Close relatives and friends to the deceased told The Manica Post that Esther, who was carrying her first pregnancy, was registered at Sanzaguru Clinic and had three antenatal (pregnancy) care visits.
It was during the routine maternity healthcare visits in-between 18 weeks and 21 weeks that she was advised to undertake the ‘anomaly scan’ which checks for structural abnormalities (anomalies) in the baby.
“Nothing can replace the loss of a loved one. As a family that suffered the tragedy we are struggling and we need help to adjust. Three lives that could have been saved were lost due to negligence and ignorance. The scan revealed that she had twins, but one of the babies was in breeching presentation and recommended a C-section.
“What shocked us was that prior to giving birth she was being nursed at an apostolic shrine. She got into labour before August 26, and they tried to help her to deliver at the shrine and it was a macerated stillbirth,” explained a close relative.
She lost a lot of blood as the apostolic midwife tried to induce her into delivering the second baby without success.
“It was only when she discovered that Esther was in severe pain and at the same time her condition had deteriorated, that the midwife admitted failure and they rushed her to Sanzaguru Clinic.
“Nurses at Sanzaguru could not attend to her as her condition had deteriorated and they referred her to Rusape General Hospital,” added the relative.
A source at Rusape General Hospital said the doctor who attended to Esther noted that her level of consciousness was very low and tried to administer some medication to resuscitate her before transferring to Mutare Provincial Hospital for further management.
