The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health will on Friday, 26 November 2010 present awards of excellence to thirteen hospitals from three districts (namely; Umzinyathi, iLembe and Sisonke) who participated in the Maternal and Newborn Health Technology Initiative (MNTI).
The initiative, which commenced in 2007, combines a wide range of technologies to improve maternal and newborn health. “Much of the work focused on evidence based practices and on empowering perinatal care providers particularly midwives and maternity managers to protect women’s health, ensure safe pregnancy and provide a healthy start for newborns,” says Mrs Dolly Nyasulu of PATH (SA).
MNTI project were made possible by a partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health supported by PATH – an international non-profit organisation that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health.
The project was aimed at improving quality of maternal and newborn care. The project’s main focus was introducing lifesaving technologies, standardising maternal and newborn health practices and improving the accuracy of reporting on specific causes of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The project received funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies.
“We are a country that is faced with a quadruple burden of diseases. Among these is the high maternal and child mortality rates and this project is but one intervention that seeks to help us improve our maternal outcomes,” says the MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
The project has demonstrated that building midwives’ skills and knowledge can improve quality of care and in the long term reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. The project has successfully trained 13 midwives and oriented 12 doctors, in 13 facilities iLembe, Sisonke, uMzinyathi Districts in KwaZulu-Natal. Following this project, a model maternal and newborn health refresher and skills upgrade training programme that incorporates the highest standards and evidence-based midwifery best practices and integrates Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) care into routine maternal and newborn care has been developed.
“Our government puts it succinctly when it articulates our commitments to improve health outcomes. During the presentation of the MDG report in September we said, ‘Our health is our life and MDGs 3, 4 and 5 are our life. South Africa feels the burden of disease with the scourge of HIV and AIDS stubbornly reversing gains made in life expectancy. To address this, our priority is to improve the health profile of all South Africans.’ That is the commitment we have made to the people of this country and province,” concludes the MEC.
Journalists are advised and invited to the function where certificates will be awarded to health professionals and institutions to be held as follows:
Date: 26 November 2010 (Friday)
Time: 09h00
Venue: Grey’s Hospital, Recreational Hall, Pietermaritzburg
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
