The North West province has made concerted efforts to curb child and maternal mortality, Premier Thandi Modise said on Friday.
“The first Human milk bank and kangaroo mother care and maternity waiting homes we have established in partnership with the North West University-Potchefstroom Campus at Potchefstroom Hospital will assist pregnant women especially those from far flung areas to be closer to hospitals two weeks prior to delivery,” Premier Modise said during delivery of the State of the Province Address in Mahikeng.
Modise added that the programme will improve access and reduce obstetric complications and maternal deaths experienced due to transportation factors.
“The Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Programme was strengthened, and all pregnant women were encouraged to know their HIV status, by participating in the HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) programme, in order to increase access to treatment and care. The number of Community Caregivers increased from to 5 330 to 6 439. The number of PLHIV (People Living with HIV) support groups also expanded from 90 to 150,” Modise said.
Modise noted significant progress made towards the service quality required for the National Health Insurance (NHI) in the piloting Dr Kenneth Kaunda district. This happened despite late loading of the NHI grant, she said.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
