Matabeleland North recorded the lowest number of hospital deliveries in Zimbabwe in 2025, according to statistics presented in Parliament by Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora.
Responding to a question from Maureen Kademaunga Murombedzi, who had requested provincial statistics on maternal and newborn deaths for 2025, Dr. Mombeshora told Parliament:
“I will start by saying the province, then the total number of deliveries in that province for the year, then the number of neonatal deaths and lastly, the number of maternal deaths in that order.”
The Minister then presented the figures for each province, stating that Matabeleland North recorded 18,616 deliveries, 175 neonatal deaths and 15 maternal deaths during 2025.
According to the statistics, Matabeleland North had the lowest number of recorded deliveries among Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces. Harare Metropolitan recorded the highest number at 84,756 deliveries, followed by Mashonaland West with 54,283. Midlands recorded 46,770, while Manicaland had 47,942 deliveries.
Presenting the national figures, Dr. Mombeshora said Zimbabwe recorded:
“TOTAL – 410 051 [deliveries], 6 177 [neonatal deaths] and 563 [maternal deaths].”
The statistics were tabled during the National Assembly’s question-and-answer session on Wednesday as legislators sought a provincial breakdown of maternal and newborn deaths.
The figures are expected to spark renewed discussion on access to maternal healthcare in Matabeleland North, a predominantly rural province where many expectant mothers travel long distances to access health facilities. Challenges such as shortages of health personnel, transport difficulties and limited emergency obstetric services have long affected parts of the province.
While Matabeleland North recorded the lowest number of hospital deliveries, the parliamentary figures do not explain whether the lower number reflects the province’s population size, births occurring outside health facilities or women seeking maternity care in other provinces.
Following the Minister’s response, Murombedzi thanked him for providing the statistics before indicating she had a follow-up question on the provincial data.