Country Director for Seed Global Health, Anda Nyondo says respectful maternal care in hospitals can reduce maternal deaths and other complications.
Nyondo made the remarks Saturday in Blantyre during an awareness meeting held under the theme “Respectful Maternity Care: A right for all women and babies”.
Nyondo said there are many factors that prevent some pregnant women to shun medical attention citing poor treatment by health officials as one of the factors.
She said such treatment may lead to maternal health related complications since women might think twice before visiting hospital or listening to any advice from health personnel.
“We are not where we are supposed to be. As a country, we would want to be at a higher percentage of people going to health facilities at any point in time when they are pregnant, are expecting to get pregnant or after they have delivered.
“Apart from some of the facilities being far away from where these people reside, how they are treated at a health facility is another issue. They prefer to be treated where they are familiar with the services and are treated with respect,” she said adding “respectful maternal care demands that officials should respect women rights and choices through supportive communication, actions and attitudes.”
Retired Midwifery Lecturer at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences who graced the occasion, Lennie Adeline Nyondo, said it is important for women to go and deliver at the hospital.
She said women should seek medical care starting the moment they realise they are pregnant in order to deal with any problems that can affect them.
Limbe Health Centre Nurse in Charge responsible for maternity, Linda Gondwe hailed Seed Global Health saying the organisation has contributed a lot in improving maternal care at the facility.
She said: “They renovated the maternity wing. They also give us supplies and necessary resources on quarterly basis including providing us with necessary trainings which has improved service delivery as nurses and midwives have updated knowledge in maternal and neonatal health.”
