Odzi Transau women cry for maternal health care
SYDNEY SAIZE IN ODZI
Pregnant women in Odzi Transau are walking long distances to access maternal health care as they become victims of unfulfilled promises following their relocation from the diamond-rich Chiadzwa area more than a decade ago.
Close to 5 000 families were relocated from Chiadzwa during the height of the diamond mining rush in Marange, about 90 kilometres west of Mutare city.
Odzi resident, Mavis Maramba, said there have been some deaths by women that failed to get maternal health care.
She said the mothers’ waiting shelter has been in limbo for the past 14 years.
“It is saddening to note that we were promised so many things when we were moved from Chiadzwa to this place.
“As of now the primary challenge is the mothers’ waiting room since most of them have to travel long distances to seek medical care. If they can have somewhere to wait, particularly those awaiting delivery, it would be great.
“The challenge still remains that we don’t know when the waiting shelter for the mothers would be completed,” Maramba said.
Cephas Mujuru of the ARDA Transau Relocated Development Trust said the relocated families needed to be assisted.
“As a community, we are appealing for assistance to resolve the challenge that the women in this area are facing. We do not want to continue losing lives as a result of a situation that can be addressed,” Mujuru said.
Moses Mujaji, Ward 3 councillor in Odzi told Business Times the area was enduring challenges of women walking long distances to access maternal health care.
He said the wards had been awarded money for the construction of a mothers’ waiting shelter but the funds were inadequate.
“We were (promised) about US$70 000 for to fund projects. But when the money was eventually available it had been eroded by inflation. In addition the money was also converted into the local currency. So the proposed project could not be finished as the project materials were quoted in United States dollar,” Mujaji said.
