From Fear to Confidence: New Facilities Boost Maternal Care at Misamfu Health Post
By Kambani Phiri, Communications, Zambia
Maternal health care in Misamfu, a rural community in Kasama District, has received a much-needed boost, thanks to the Survive to Thrive project by World Vision Zambia. This initiative has transformed the Misamfu Rural Health Post through the installation of a mechanized water system and the construction of a modern ablution block, making safe maternal health services a reality for expectant mothers in the area.
Before these upgrades, Misamfu Health Post faced severe challenges, operating in substandard conditions that deterred many pregnant women from seeking maternal care there.
Nurse Kunda, the nurse-in-charge at the health post, described the previous conditions.
“Most mothers were afraid to give birth here because of poor hygiene and a lack of running water,” she said. For years, the facility lacked basic sanitation, leaving women hesitant to rely on its services during one of the most critical times of their lives.
Imagine the challenges of delivering a baby in a clinic without running water or adequate sanitation. Until recently, expectant mothers had no choice but to use pit latrines, creating safety concerns and posing significant health risks.
Kunda recalled her worries, saying, “I was always skeptical of allowing an expectant mother to use a pit latrine. Labour could happen right there, and it could be a disaster for the unborn child.”
The situation improved dramatically in 2023, when World Vision Zambia’s Survive to Thrive project stepped in to provide clean, running water and decent sanitation facilities. With the installation of a mechanized water system and a new ablution block, Misamfu Health Post is now equipped to deliver safer, more dignified healthcare services. This change has also had a direct impact on the number of mothers choosing to give birth at the facility.
“Since we have had these new facilities, we’ve seen a rise in deliveries from 30% to 60%,” said Kunda.
The improved environment has encouraged expectant mothers to trust the clinic for their deliveries, knowing they can access clean water and safe sanitation.
The Survive to Thrive project specifically targets vulnerable communities, aiming to improve the survival rates of children under five in Zambia’s Northern Province. In Kasama and Luwingu districts, World Vision has been working to strengthen healthcare by focusing on essential infrastructure, particularly in maternal and child health. According to the World Health Organization, more than 60% of child deaths under five could be avoided with low-cost preventive care and treatment. By providing basic resources like water and sanitation, Survive to Thrive is directly contributing to this effort.
Today, Misamfu’s improved healthcare environment serves a population of 4,449 people, offering essential maternal health services in a safe and supportive setting.
“It’s not just about the water,” Kunda emphasized, “it’s about dignity, about mothers feeling valued and safe as they bring new life into the world.”
This transformation has given mothers in Misamfu a newfound confidence in seeking care, knowing they are supported by facilities that prioritize their health and safety.
With continued support from projects like Survive to Thrive, rural health posts in Zambia are becoming safe havens where mothers can access quality care and children can thrive from the very beginning.