By KAIKO NAMUSA –

THE Ministry of Health has condemned the use of traditional medicine to induce labour.

The ministry said the practice had continued to claim lives of many expectant mothers and was a hindrance to fighting maternal mortality in the country.

Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya said this when he toured Mangango Mission Hospital in Kaoma District on Saturday where he found a 19-year-old girl had given birth but suffered complications after

she used traditional medicine to force the labour.

Dr Chilufya said the use of traditional medicines to force labour was a major contributor to maternal mortality and urged traditional leaders, among other stakeholders, to discourage the practice.

“We have to discourage the use of traditional medicines. This case (referring to the girl) is one among many that occur around the country, many expectant mothers have died because of the use of traditional medicine. We need to fight this by all means possible, this should not be allowed to continue,” he said.

He said the ordeal of the teenage mother of Mangango was a clear testimony that traditional practices such as the use of medicines were a danger to expectant mothers.

Mangango Hospital doctor, Mangala Mukohe explained during the hospital tour that he attended to several cases where expectant mothers had used traditional medicines to induce labour and that often he had to carryout surgical operations to save both the mother and the child.

“I attend to several of such cases and it is a huge challenge in Mangango because most women still believe in using traditional medicines to force labour and in various cases we have to remove the

uterus to save the mother from excessive bleeding otherwise one would die,” he said.

The teenage girl said she used traditional medicine called ‘kanyangumisa’ which was prescribed to her by her grandmother.

“I used the medicine which was given to me by my grandmother and I regret having taken the medicine. I would also urge other mothers not to use such medicines but seek proper medical attention,” she said.

Meanwhile Dr Chilufya has hailed the strong partnership existing between Government and the Catholic Church in providing health care.

Dr Chilufya said Government appreciated the partnership with the Church in providing health care for the people and that such collaboration would continue to be supported.

“Government and the Catholic Church have enjoyed cordial relations especially in the health sector, which is key in helping our people and we will continue to provide support.

“And as seen here (Mangango), the hospital is being managed well under the guidance of the Church and as Government we will continue our support to provide monthly grants and ensure drug supply is constant and sufficient,” he said.