BY STAFF REPORTER 

In a somber and thought-provoking address, Member of Parliament Asendu Dube of Matabeleland South stood before parliament on Tuesday to shed light on a devastating issue plaguing the nation.

“My point of interest is with regards to child mortality around the country,” MP Dube declared, setting the tone for a heartfelt and impassioned plea to tackle the alarming rise in deaths among Zimbabwe’s youngest citizens.

With a focus on the staggering figures emerging from Mpilo Hospital, where 98 children lost their lives in March 2024 alone, MP Dube’s speech painted a stark picture of a nation in crisis, prompting him to call for a comprehensive and collective response to curb the scourge of child mortality.

Below is his full speech:

HON. DUBE: On a point of national interest Madam Speaker. My point of interest is with regard to child mortality around the country.  Child mortality refers to death of children under the age of five years and may include still births.  Neonatal deaths and deaths for those under five years among other types of child mortality. 

Madam Speaker, Zimbabwe has faced an increase in child mortality during the first half of the year 2024, with the most alarming figures coming from Mpilo Hospital where 98 children are reported to have died in the month of March 2024 alone. 

Between January and April 2024, a total of 280 children are reported to have died at Mpilo Hospital alone. 

Madam Speaker, given that the National Assembly comprises of 280 MPs, this means that Zimbabwe potentially lost its entire future lower House in four months from one hospital.  More children were lost in other hospitals and this is a cause for concern. 

Madam Speaker, I rise to call for the whole society approach to curb child mortality, which should include an investigation by relevant Portfolio Committees on the cause of the rise in child mortality, a dedicated programme of ensuring all expectant mothers and mothers of infants have access to nutritious diets, adequate wages for nurses as well as availability of medicines at all baby clinics around the country.  I thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Dube. You have raised very important issues, but I advise you to raise a motion on this particular issue so it can be debated in this House.