How can we get around maternal mortality in Zambia? – Jul 02,2011

In demography, you study human migration, fertility, and mortality. Apart from measures and related-concepts, they teach you proximate and background determinants of each demographic phenomenon. For my Masters Degree final term paper, I discussed proximate and background determinants of maternal morbidity and mortality in Zambia. While I have just studied the subject, my immediate sister has actually succumbed to this evil force. Not only did Kalemba leave her husband, parents, siblings and grown children on 9th May 2011 … she left a barely one month old baby. In her conscience world, Sindiwa will never meet her mother. We have lost many Zambian women to maternal mortality. Statistics show that in Zambia about seven babies in a thousand lose their mothers to maternal-related death. These children will never hug the person that would have loved them the most. Kambidima speaks to Thokozile Lewanika Mpupuni, to discuss ways of addressing the problem of maternal mortality in Zambia. Dr Lewanika is a Zambian working for McKinsey & Company in Johannesburg. This global management consulting firm prides itself in provision of well-thought-out solutions to problems encountered in the private, public and social sectors. From their recent work in Namibia, their consultants suggest that “… coordinated, targeted interventions led by local stakeholders can accelerate improvements in maternal-health outcomes”. (http://www.mckinsey.com/en/Client_Service/Social_Sector /Saving_mothers_lives_in_Namibia.aspx). In the accompanying video posted on this website as well, Thokozile summarises simple, economical, and sustainable efforts that Namibians are implementing to improve maternal health care. She emphasises that as an outsider you need to let change and solutions belong to the people affected. We also chat to Zambians living in Johannesburg.