Stanbic Bank Zambia Back Again

The Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) amounting to six (6) million kwacha with Stanbic Bank Zambia. The signed MoU is for the construction of three Mother’s shelters over a period of three years at a total cost of K6 million.

CHAZ Executive Director, Mrs. Karen Sichinga signed on behalf of CHAZ while Mr. Muwindwa Siakalima signed on behalf of Stanbic Bank Zambia.

During the signing ceremony of the MoU which took place at Stanbic Zambia Head- Office, Mrs. Karen Sichinga said maternal mortality in Zambia is high, yet most maternal deaths can be prevented and as such, a woman should not die while giving life.

“The maternal mortality in Zambia is still unacceptably high. According to the Zambia Demographic Health Survey, 2018, the country’s maternal death average ratio was 252 per 100,000 live births. There is really no excuse for this because most maternal deaths are preventable. Ladies and gentlemen, interventions to prevent or manage complications are well known. For this reason, a woman should not die while giving life.” said Mrs. Sichinga.

Mrs. Sichinga added that Despite the reduction in Maternal mortality ratio from 398 in 2013/14 to 278 in 2018 deaths per 100 000 live births, the picture remains unacceptably high. She also commended Stanbic Bank Zambia to preserving life and upholding the right to health and dignity and added that CHAZ is confident that this investment is part of a larger commitment by Stanbic Bank to contribute towards the creation of a world where no woman dies while giving life.

Mrs. Sichinga further said that the signed MOU is a continuation of Stanbic Bank’s commitment to the health of Zambians, whose previous investments in Mothers waiting Homes in Kabwe and Chinunda contributed to over 2,299 safe deliveries.

In concluding her speech, Mrs. Karen Sichinga said CHAZ is happy to have Stanbic Bank Zambia as a Partner, adding that the investment in Maternal Health Infrastructure such as Maternity Wards and Mother waiting shelters is an investment in the future of Zambia.

Stanbic Bank Chief Executive Mr. Mwindwa Siakalima said that the three shelters would be built in a period of three years at a cost of K 2 million each. He added that the bank decided to partner with CHAZ because it believed that the Association was well-positioned to deliver on its mandate as it was one of the largest non-Government health providers with experience.

He added that the provision of mothers’ shelters was one way of guaranteeing speedy and safe uptake of health services, especially for women.

“And as part of our corporate social responsibility, we strive to work towards better health care for expectant mothers and infant children.” Said Mr. Siakalima.

The building of a mother’s shelter will enable Zambian women, especially in the rural parts of the country to reduce the risk of maternal and infant mortality with the help of a skilled birth attendant.

Mother’s shelters or sometimes refered to Mothers waiting homes provide lodging facilities to women who live far from a health facility so that they can be closely monitored before delivery.

CHAZ in partnership with the Ministry of Health and with support from USAID, implemented a Safe Motherhood Project in 22 districts for five years. The Project’s main objective was to reduce maternal mortality. During the implementation of this project, CHAZ contributed to the reduction of maternal deaths to 132 per 100,000 live births.

CHAZ is determined to continue supporting the government in its quest in ensuring that no woman
or child dies during child birth.

The health sector identified the following as being some of the reasons why women die while giving birth. These include but are not limited to Long distances to health facilities, lack of decision-making power by women themselves, delays in getting to the health facility, being attended to by unskilled health personnel and delays in referral to a higher level of care all these reasons conspire and result in deaths of mother and child.
As such, the building of a mother’s shelter is one of the ways to overcome the challenges associated
with distance, which is a barrier to healthcare providers in many rural communities of Zambia.