Indigenous Maternal Healthcare for Sustainable Health and Well-being among the Bemba People of Nkweto Village of Chinsali

Accessing quality healthcare is a major challenge in modern Zambia. It is not uncommon to read news about the lack of essential drugs in healthcare facilities and the impact this has on women, especially those seeking maternal healthcare. This paper analyses the quality of access to maternal healthcare for women living in rural areas, focusing on the Bemba people of Nkweto village in Chinsali, Zambia. During prehistoric times, before the advent of modern and scientific methods of healthcare, African people used umuti (herbs) for treating various illnesses and sicknesses. Herbs are often found in plant products, stones, soil, grass, animal products, water, and spiritual resources, which are sources of treatment and healing. Therefore, in Africa, the forest is a valuable and sacred space considered a source of life, as it provides food and medicines that help people survive and contribute to maternal health. This paper uses focus group discussions to examine and map the core determinants of maternal health in the Bemba indigenous traditional healthcare system. It examines the Bemba indigenous herbs and practices for maternal health, from preconception to postnatal stages. The key questions it asks are: What are the practices and forms of indigenous maternal healthcare that sustain women’s health and well-being? Can these forms and practices be considered an alternative to achieving sustainable health by 2030?