Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE Swedish embassy has unveiled a US$5 million package to scale up the reach and quality of family planning services in Zimbabwe.
The contribution from the Swedish government is primarily focusing on improving services for youth and marginalised populations.
Officials said the initiative was a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) pledge, which aimed to increase the modern contraceptive prevalence rate from the current 48% to 54%.
Health and Child Care deputy minister Sleiman Kwidini reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring universal access to public health after meeting Swedish officials on Monday.
Kwidini said that was in line with the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action.
“Government remains fully committed to universal access to healthcare, regardless of location or income,” he said.
“Through collaboration with partners such as Sweden and Population Services Zimbabwe, facilities like Mbare Clinic are now functional and accessible, especially for women and girls.”
Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgärde said there should be greater focus towards prioritising reproductive health rights.
“Our support targets young girls and women across Zimbabwe to ensure they can access essential services,” Lindgärde said.
According to analysis by the FP2030, the use of contraceptives has averted nearly 3,6 million unintended pregnancies, almost a million (918 000) unsafe abortions and 12 700 maternal deaths in Zimbabwe over the past five years.
Globally, use of contraceptives is averting 2,7 million infant deaths, 215 000 maternal deaths, 187 million unintended pregnancies and 105 million abortions each year.
Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are leading causes of death and disability among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Zimbabwe.
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