Uproar Over Death Of Infant At Kambuzuma Polyclinic, Council Says Baby Died Before Delivery
The City of Harare has responded to public outcry over an incident involving a maternity patient at Kambuzuma Polyclinic on 9 August 2026, in which a baby was reported to have died after the mother gave birth inside a car at the facility.
The response follows a social media post by a concerned citizen who said he had visited the clinic to seek treatment for flu.
The concerned citizen claimed that a car arrived at the clinic with a pregnant woman who appeared to be in labour and that those who had brought her struggled to find nurses to assist her.
According to the post, the woman eventually gave birth inside the car before nurses came out. The writer said the Sister-in-Charge also emerged after the birth, and that nurses brought blankets to cover the baby before taking the mother and baby inside. Shortly afterwards, they returned and said the baby had died.
The writer questioned whether urgent assistance at the time of arrival could have changed the outcome and raised concerns about the handling of emergencies at the clinic.
In a public notice issued on 10 August 2026, the City of Harare, through the City Health Department, said it had noted the concerns circulating on social media and expressed regret over the loss experienced by the family.
The department said it remained committed to providing dignified, professional and compassionate maternal and neonatal services.
The City said that according to clinical records, the patient was a 21-year-old woman who was brought to Kambuzuma after having delivered at home. She had earlier been diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), a condition caused by pregnancy, and had been classified as a high-risk pregnancy.
“Upon examination, the baby was found to be a macerated stillbirth, with no signs of life, and the mother appeared clinically unwell.
“A macerated stillbirth is the death of a fetus in the uterus more than 12-24 hours before delivery,” reads the statement.
“Initial vital signs taken while in the car showed a low-grade fever and elevated blood pressure.
“Appropriate clinical management and stabilisation measures were instituted, while bereavement counselling was also provided.
“In accordance with established protocol, the matter was subsequently reported to Kambuzuma Police.”
The Department said records indicate that the patient was booked for antenatal care at Kambuzuma Polyclinic in May.
“The patient’s records indicate that she was booked for antenatal care at Kambuzuma Polyclinic on 2 May 2026,” it said.
“During the course of her pregnancy, she developed PIH and was classified as a high-risk pregnancy requiring closer monitoring and specialised management.
“She was subsequently referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital (SMH) on 23 June 2026, where she was admitted for further management.
“Available records further indicate that the patient did not attend some of the scheduled follow-up reviews during her management at SMH.
“Following her presentation at Kambuzuma Polyclinic on 9 August 2026, the patient was initially stabilised and transferred to the SMH Maternity Unit for further management.”
The City Health Department said information circulating on social media may not present the complete clinical context or chronology of events.
Based on records currently available, it said appropriate clinical procedures were followed, including immediate assessment, stabilisation, referral and transfer for further care, bereavement support and reporting to the relevant authorities.
The department said it would, however, continue to review the full circumstances surrounding the case to ensure that any lessons arising from the incident are identified and that maternal and neonatal services continue to be strengthened.
The City urged members of the public to rely on verified information from the City of Harare and other authorised health authorities, particularly in matters involving sensitive medical and public health issues, and said it remains committed to safeguarding the health, dignity and wellbeing of residents.
