maternity unit by Health MEC Brian Hlongwa
25 May 2006
As the country prepares to observe Child Protection Week residents of
Laudium in Tshwane and neighbouring communities could not call for a better
time than now to celebrate the opening of a new Midwife Obstetrics Unit at
their clinic.
The new maternity unit at Laudium Community Health Centre, opened on
Thursday, 25 May 2006, marks yet another inroad government is making to deliver
on its promises of making efficient primary health care available and
accessible to the community.
Opening the facility officially, Health MEC Brian Hlongwa said Child
Protection Week was commonly observed by focussing on violence and abuse
perpetrated against grown up children. "We feel it is also important to
emphasise that the protection of children starts before they are born and
continues to when they are grown up".
"It is for this reason that we emphasise that pregnant mothers should attend
antenatal clinics during pregnancy and to give birth in a facility like this
one so that complications can be managed professionally and on time," he
said.
Hlongwa said there had been some improvement in certain areas where the
mortality rate of unborn children had declined by 7% while the mortality rate
of newborn babies had declined by 3%. The perinatal mortality rate (unborn
babies) in Gauteng is 30.7 out of every 1000 births.
Hlongwa also called on mothers to avoid excessive drinking and smoking
during pregnancy. "I believe we can do much better if mothers report to clinics
for regular check-ups early in their pregnancies. Health professionals also
have a duty and responsibility to give priority to pregnant mothers in the
HIV/AIDS programme because this is a major factor in maternal deaths in the
province," he said.
The MEC said it is important that health professionals change their
attitudes as negative attitudes are a major obstacle preventing people from
using health facilities.
"We have to project an attitude that assures patients that we care for them
and we understand that we are employed in the position that we occupy to give
them good quality service," said Holongwa.
The 24-hour facility will serve the communities of Laudium, Atteridgeville,
Diepsloot, Olievenhoutbosch and other nearby areas.
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
25 May 2006
Source: SAPA
