More than 6,100 babies died during the neonatal period in Zimbabwe in 2025, while 563 women lost their lives due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications.
The neonatal period is the first 28 days (four weeks) of a baby’s life, whether the baby is full‑term or premature.
Figures presented in Parliament by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora show that the country recorded 6,177 neonatal deaths and 563 maternal deaths from 410,051 deliveries recorded nationwide during the year.
Harare Metropolitan Province recorded the highest number of deaths, with 84,756 deliveries, 2,205 neonatal deaths and 190 maternal deaths.
Midlands Province recorded 46,770 deliveries, 741 neonatal deaths and 78 maternal deaths, while Bulawayo reported 20,649 deliveries, 624 neonatal deaths and 61 maternal deaths.
Mashonaland West recorded 54,283 deliveries, 594 neonatal deaths and 55 maternal deaths. Manicaland recorded 47,942 deliveries, 493 neonatal deaths and 53 maternal deaths, while Mashonaland Central reported 43,467 deliveries, 434 neonatal deaths and 42 maternal deaths.
Other provincial figures were as follows: Mashonaland East recorded 38,991 deliveries, 368 neonatal deaths and 34 maternal deaths; Masvingo recorded 37,483 deliveries, 385 neonatal deaths and 19 maternal deaths; Matabeleland North recorded 18,616 deliveries, 175 neonatal deaths and 15 maternal deaths; and Matabeleland South recorded 17,094 deliveries, 158 neonatal deaths and 16 maternal deaths.
The statistics were presented after legislators questioned the minister over the continued loss of mothers and newborns during childbirth and the steps being taken to address the problem.
Responding to the concerns, Mombeshora said birth asphyxia, a condition where a baby does not receive enough oxygen during delivery, remained the leading cause of neonatal deaths.
He said neonatal infections were the second leading cause, while inadequate newborn resuscitation immediately after birth had also contributed to preventable deaths.
“In most cases, the resuscitation part of it, when the neonate is born, has been lacking,” Mombeshora told Parliament.
He said the government was introducing neonatal resuscitation equipment to help clear newborns’ airways and reduce deaths linked to birth complications and infections.
On maternal deaths, Mombeshora said excessive bleeding after childbirth was the leading cause, followed by infections.
He added that many women only reach health facilities after complications have already become severe, making it harder for health workers to save both the mother and the baby.
“I think infections and birth asphyxia in neonates and then postpartum haemorrhage and infections for the mothers are the major causes,” he said.
“In most cases, the mother can be saved through a caesarean section… it may be too late to save the neonates.”
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