The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ commitment to develop the country through community assistance programmes has seen the construction of maternity waiting homes – where expecting mothers stay during the last six weeks of pregnancy – at Chawatama Clinic in Buhera District.
Speaking during the handover ceremony recently, Deputy Commander 3 Infantry Brigade, Colonel Bernard Mutasa, said maternity waiting homes are important in reducing maternal mortality rates in rural communities.
Colonel Mutasa said the facility will capacitate the clinic towards helping reduce home-based deliveries in the area.
Buhera District Medical Officer Dr Shelton Kwiri said the development will go a long way in reducing delivery complications as over 50 percent of mothers in the area were giving birth at home.
During yesterday’s Defence Forces commemorations, President Mnangagwa commended the ZDF for its corporate social responsibility efforts.
Through continued utilisation of ZDF’s abundant wide array of skilled personnel and contribution towards socio-economic development of the country, various communities have benefited from the construction of bridges, schools and clinics, President Mnangagwa said.
Apart from building classroom blocks at Chawatama and Charleswood Primary Schools, the ZDF personnel is also assisting in Covid-19 vaccination programmes in Nyanga, Mahenye and Buhera.
