The ratio of maternal deaths in Gauteng’s public health facilities has decreased from 167.7/100 000 live births in the period 2005/07 to 145/100 000 live births for the period 2008/10.
This is as a result of efforts by the department to reach the goal to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in the province.
These fruitful initiatives include: the implementation of the Saving Mothers report in all health facilities that provide maternity services, training on the management of obstetric emergencies and the province continues to participate in the Campaign for the Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa.
In the previous financial year, 2011/12, the department improved services for mothers and children. These included the opening of an additional Kangaroo Mother Care Unit at Tshwane District Hospital and ensuring that three out of every four new mothers were visited at home within six days of delivery.
Also in the previous financial year, approximately eight out of 10 pregnant women (80.5%) who were HIV-positive were placed on long-term Anti- Retroviral Therapy as they were severely immuno-compromised. Although this is primarily intended to treat the mother, it also effectively prevents transmission of HIV to the baby. HIV-positive women who do not require long-term Anti-Retroviral Therapy during pregnancy receive a shorter course of ARVs.
In Gauteng we achieved 99% coverage of babies who are born of HIV positive mothers. Only 3.6% of babies born to HIV-positive mothers proved to be HIV infected when tested at the age of six weeks, a rate which is below the national target of 5%.
By the end of the previous financial year, a total of 399 484 patients were receiving Anti-Retroviral Treatment, including 23 917 children. The number of adults and children who started treatment during the course of the year was 176 546.
The department’s exclusive breastfeeding campaign is also assisting in increasing the number of healthy babies.
Immunisation is another critical intervention aimed at increasing child survival by eliminating deaths from preventable causes.
Immunisation services are provided daily by all clinics and some hospitals in Gauteng. Coverage of children under five years has consistently been above the national target of 90% of all children in the age group.
The percentage of children under one year who were fully immunised was 115.1% in the year under review.
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
