BY SILAS NKALA
a Bulawayo city councillor wants pregnant women, who delay booking for delivering at the local authority’s maternity clinics to be fined.
According to the latest council minutes, director of health services Edwin Sibanda recently submitted that the health committee was concerned about pregnant women, who did not do the necessary bookings at council maternity clinics.
“The committee considered the matter and a councillor raised concern about pregnant women, who did not do the necessary bookings at council maternity clinics,” reads the minutes.
“Her view was that a fine be introduced for such mothers once they came for delivery.”
But ward 17 Pumula councillor Sikhululekile Moyo did not support the idea considering that most residents were facing financial challenges.
“She also wanted to know if it was allowed for a pregnant woman, who booked elsewhere to deliver at a council clinic using documents from the institution she booked with,” read the minutes.
The health committee chairperson, Lilian Mlilo also raised concern over the alleged bad care of patients at Pelandaba clinic.
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Mlilo said patients were being dropped outside the clinic gate with expecting women supposed to carry inside their heavy preparation bags without assistance.
Sibanda explained that primary health care was offered on behalf of the central government.
“Government was pushing for free maternity service nationwide. There was lack of seriousness on part of pregnant women to book on time,” he said.
“A pregnant woman was supposed to be examined eight times before delivery.
“The ability to pay was not the hindering factor. In most cases but lack of planning was the main cause.
“The issue of Pelandaba Clinic would be investigated accordingly.”
