The National Department of Health, led by the Deputy Minister of Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, in conjunction with the provincial Departments of Health and Social Development and the Ekurhuleni Municipality will visit early learning centres (ECDs) in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni District on Monday, 10 June 2013. The main aim of this visit will be to assess the state of the ECDs with respect to health promotion, disease prevention and optimal child development.
This initiative is part of the activities lined up for observing the International Children’s Day (ICD) focusing on children in a bid to shape their childhood survival. Since 1925, 1 June was proclaimed ICD by the World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland.
The first 1000 days of life are critical in optimal development of human beings. Hence the focus of the day will be on celebrating progress in the reduction of child mortality while remaining cognisant of the need to expand our health solutions to the children who are still unable to access effective prevention and treatment against illnesses.
Early childhood development services provide education and care to children in the temporary absence of their parents or guardians. These services should be holistic and demonstrate the appreciation of the importance of considering the child’s health, nutrition, education, psychosocial and other needs within the context of the family and the community.
The following are factors that can hinder early child development:
- malnutrition that is chronic and severe enough to cause growth stunting
- inadequate stimulation or learning opportunities
- iodine deficiency
- iron deficiency anaemia
- Pneumonia
- Diarrhea
- Sypsis
- Meningitis
Other common risk factors are pneumonia, maternal depression, and exposure to violence.
Expected results of the visit are as follows:
- Identification of missed opportunities for immunisation
- Identification of children with growth problems
- Strengthening of the referral and support system between the Primary Health Care facilities and early childhood centres
- Establishment of a majority and support system for early childhood centres
The department will use the primary healthcare approach to provide early and quality ante- and postnatal services as well as essential infant and child health services and nutritional advice. This will help to reduce the high child mortality rate in the country and also in achieving the Millennium Development Goals number ‘4’ which is “Reduce child mortality by two thirds.”
The activities and objectives of the day are:
- to conscientise the ECD practitioners and caregivers (teachers) and families on the significance of understanding early childhood development in a holistic way
- conduct health screenings, immunisation and Body Mass Index (BMI) of children
- championing the enforcement of the health, safety and nutrition minimum standards
- overseeing compliance of the environmental health standards in ensuring that facilities used for early childhood development promote the well being of children
- Pro-actively tracking the progress with regards the implementation of the minimum standards pursuant to achieving the Millenium Development Goals.
Venue: Journalists to converge at Tsakane Customer Care Centre
Date: 10 June 2013
Time: 10h00
Media contact:
Khutso Rabothata, Manager: Communication and Media Liaison
Office of the Deputy Minister of Health
Tel: 012 395 8481
Cell: 072 992 7171
E-mail: rabots@health.gov.za or ksrabothata@gmail.com
