Zimbabwe recorded 6,177 neonatal deaths and 563 maternal deaths from more than 410,000 deliveries in 2025, with Parliament hearing that birth asphyxia and postpartum haemorrhage remain the leading causes.

HARARE — Calls are growing for a thorough investigation into the death of a young woman who allegedly died at Harare Hospital following complications arising from a pregnancy termination procedure reportedly carried out outside a formal medical facility. The woman, identified by friends as Juliana Makombe, died on Tuesday at Harare Hospital under circumstances that have sparked concern among relatives and acquaintances.

At a busy maternity ward in Zvishavane District Hospital, a midwife records the details of a birth into a digital system moments after delivery, a shift that is transforming how Zimbabwe tracks maternal and perinatal deaths. Until recently, such information was recorded on paper and could take weeks or even months to reach decision-makers. Today, it is instantly available to health teams nationwide, enabling faster and more informed responses.