The European Commission is supporting a project that is expected to accommodate 150,000 women to access to safe delivery and emergency obstetric and neonatal care services in Zimbabwe. The project's overall objective is to contribute to the reduction in maternal mortality through the revitalization of maternity waiting homes which will improve access to skilled attendance at delivery for high risk pregnancies.

The European Commission approved a decision on 17 of August whose main objective is to contribute to reduce maternal mortality from 695 in 1999 to 174 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015 in Zimbabwe. A total of 105 maternity waiting homes will be renovated and refurbished. Over a three-year period, the project is expected to accommodate 150,000 women to access to safe delivery and emergency obstetric and neonatal care services. In May 2012, the first Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and an Africa region started to be applied, including Zimbabwe.

This decision is aimed at helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Zimbabwe by supporting vulnerable women and their families. In particular, the overall objective of the project is to contribute to the reduction in maternal mortality through the revitalization of maternity waiting homes which will improve access to skilled attendance at delivery for high risk pregnancies.

Women particularly those with high risk pregnancies and staying far from the health facilities will be admitted into maternity waiting homes for 3 to 4 weeks, prior to expected dates of delivery, to facilitate easy access to maternity services and skilled attendance at delivery. This is ultimately expected to contribute to positive pregnancy outcomes.