Over 90 died while giving birth in 2016 in Eastern Province

Over 90 women in Eastern Province alone died in 2016 while giving birth.

Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says this is according to a report his Ministry is in possession of on the Province.

Chitalu Chilufya

Speaking last night during a fundraising cocktail organized by the Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBS) Dr. Chilufya disclosed that the said women died as a result of lack of blood.

Dr. Chilufya states that this is the more reason his Ministry believes people must take keen interest in donating blood so as to save lives.

He says though Zambia is doing well in terms of reducing maternal deaths, there is still need for collaborative efforts in ensuring that these rates are reduced further.
Speaking earlier ZNBS Medical Director Joseph Mulenga also disclosed that Zambia has never met the target of the required safe blood through donations.

Dr. Mulenga says the required units of safe blood in Zambia is 150, 000 but that the best the nation has done is to only reach 120, 000 units.