The Ministry of Health has called on husbands to take a more active role in their partners’ maternal health, saying joint involvement enables couples to better plan for emergencies and significantly reduces risks to both the mother and the baby.
According to recent studies and data covering the period 2024 to 2026, male involvement in maternal health in Zambia remains largely indirect.
The data indicates that only 25 percent of male partners accompany their spouses to antenatal care (ANC) visits, with the figure dropping to as low as 8.3 percent in urban areas such as Lusaka.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Ministry of Health Principal Community Health Officer, Nicky Simfukwe, said that although maternal health primarily focuses on women, men play a critical role in childbearing, particularly as key decision-makers during medical emergencies such as post-partum haemorrhage (PPH).
Mr. Simfukwe explained that while it is government policy to encourage male participation in antenatal visits and other maternity-related services, many men still perceive their role as limited to providing financial support.
He noted that in some cases, healthcare providers may need to conduct medical tests on both partners, underscoring the importance of men being physically present during antenatal visits.
Mr. Simfukwe further emphasised that active male involvement throughout pregnancy helps reduce complications by providing emotional and psychological support to expectant mothers.
He has since urged men to embrace the practice of escorting their partners to antenatal clinics, warning that failure to do so offers no benefit to the unborn child.
Mr. Simfukwe called for a change in mindset among Zambian men in order to improve maternal and child health outcomes nationwide.
By Chola Mukuka
©RCV
picture for illustration purposes