Over 6,100 Newborns and 563 Mothers Died in Zimbabwe in 2025, Parliament Told

By Southerton Business Times Reporter | HARARE

Zimbabwe recorded 6,177 neonatal deaths and 563 maternal deaths in 2025, highlighting persistent challenges in maternal and newborn healthcare despite ongoing government efforts to improve health outcomes.

The figures, presented in Parliament by Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora, show that the deaths occurred from 410,051 deliveries recorded nationwide during the year. The neonatal period refers to the first 28 days of a baby's life, a critical stage when newborns are most vulnerable to complications such as birth asphyxia, infections and premature birth.

According to the statistics, Harare Metropolitan Province recorded the highest number of deliveries and deaths, with 84,756 births, 2,205 neonatal deaths and 190 maternal deaths.

Other provincial figures presented to Parliament were:

Province	Deliveries	Neonatal deaths	Maternal deaths
Harare	84,756	2,205	190
Midlands	46,770	741	78
Bulawayo	20,649	624	61
Mashonaland West	54,283	594	55
Manicaland	47,942	493	53
Mashonaland Central	43,467	434	42
Mashonaland East	38,991	368	34
Masvingo	37,483	385	19
Matabeleland North	18,616	175	15
Matabeleland South	17,094	158	16

The statistics were tabled after legislators questioned the ministry on the continued loss of mothers and newborns during childbirth and measures being taken to improve survival rates.

Responding to questions in Parliament, Mombeshora said birth asphyxia a condition in which a baby does not receive enough oxygen during or immediately after delivery remains the leading cause of neonatal deaths in Zimbabwe.

"In most cases, the resuscitation part of it, when the neonate is born, has been lacking," Mombeshora told Parliament.

He said neonatal infections are the second leading cause of death and acknowledged that inadequate newborn resuscitation has contributed to preventable fatalities. To address the problem, Government is introducing neonatal resuscitation equipment in health facilities to improve emergency care for newborns immediately after birth.

On maternal mortality, Mombeshora said postpartum haemorrhage (severe bleeding after childbirth) remains the leading cause of maternal deaths, followed by infections. He noted that many women arrive at health facilities after complications have already become critical, reducing the chances of saving both mother and child.

"In most cases, the mother can be saved through a caesarean section… it may be too late to save the neonates," he said.

Health experts say timely antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services and access to neonatal intensive care are critical to reducing maternal and newborn deaths.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), birth asphyxia, complications of prematurity, infections and congenital abnormalities remain among the leading causes of neonatal deaths globally, while severe bleeding, hypertensive disorders, infections and unsafe abortions account for most maternal deaths. Zimbabwe has committed to reducing maternal mortality and preventable newborn deaths under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Health Strategy 2021–2025.

Zimbabwe neonatal deaths 2025