The Parliamentary Women’s Caucus (PWC) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have raised concerns over continued maternal and neonatal deaths in the country, despite efforts to reduce the deaths.
Chairperson of the Caucus, Mary Maulidi Khembo, says it is sad that women and babies are still losing their lives due to maternity-related complications, a situation she says requires urgent attention.
Khembo was speaking after the Caucus engaged officials from Mchinji, Rumphi and Mangochi District Councils, referral hospitals and some Civil Society Organisations on the status of maternal and neonatal health in Malawi.
She said inadequate human resources, a shortage of ambulances and essential medical equipment, long distances to health facilities and funding constraints are some of the challenges contributing to the problem.
Khembo said the Caucus will push for increased funding and the recruitment of more health personnel to address the challenges and ensure that women and babies are adequately protected.
She also said the Caucus will work with CSOs and communities to sensitise the public on the dangers of unsafe abortions, which she said are contributing to maternal deaths in the country.
Appearing before the committee, Mzuzu Central Hospital said it is facing severe infrastructure challenges, having only three maternity beds while delivering between 10 and 15 women on average, which is forcing some women to give birth on the floor.
Its Director General, Dr Dorris Kayambo, said the hospital lacks a neonatal unit, a situation that has forced staff to keep sick babies on the side of the maternity unit, thereby contributing to congestion in the unit.
In Mchinji, the District Council told the Caucus that 20,205 pregnant women delivered in the district during the 2025/2026 financial year, with 19,471 attended to by skilled health personnel, while 734 were assisted by unskilled birth attendants.
The District Commissioner, Reingard Kaweta Chavula, said the district registered 19 maternal deaths during the same financial year, with postpartum haemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, complications arising from abortions and ruptured uterus among the reported causes.
Meanwhile, Rumphi District Council says its health facilities are operating at a 76 percent vacancy rate, with the doctor-to-population ratio standing at one doctor to 88,224 people, while the nurse-to-population ratio is one nurse to 1,741 people.
The council also cited inadequate drugs, medical equipment and supplies, poor infrastructure, a shortage of ambulances and a lack of partner support for maternal and neonatal health as some of the challenges affecting the provision of services.
Rumphi District Commissioner Thomas Chigwenembe said the council is, on the other hand, sensitising communities on the dangers of unsafe abortions and is also developing bylaws to discourage women from giving birth with traditional birth attendants.
Meanwhile, Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) Executive Director George Jobe says although the country has made some gains in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths, it is concerning that lives continue to be lost.
Jobe says the government, CSOs and other stakeholders must join hands and make serious investments to address challenges facing the health sector.
He has also called for regular updates and consolidated health data to help inform decision-making and guide investment in the health sector.
