Source: South African Government
Days of women delivering at home are soon to be a thing of the past in the North West province. The Department of Health has established maternity waiting homes and also procured ten (10) Obstetric ambulances to exclusively transport pregnant women, MEC Dr. Magome Masike said on Tuesday.
Tabling the R7.6 Billion budget at the Provincial Legislature in Mmabatho, MEC Masike said this was to ensure that pregnant women deliver within health care facilities.
"We are on course to saving mothers and babies at birth. Maternal mortality rate in South Africa has declined from 176\100 000 Live Births in 2008 - 2010 triennium to 153.23\100 000 Live Births in 2011. A significant decrease was realized in North West from 229.5 to 145.6\100K in the same reporting period", said the MEC.
"It is important to note that in 2008 - 2010 reporting period, North West was among the worst three performing Provinces above the National Norm (together with Free State and the Northern Cape), but is now reported among the Top three Performing Provinces in NCCEMD report 2011. The DHIS reflected a decrease from 203\100 000 Live Births in 2011\2012 to 160\100 000 Live Births in 2012\2013" explained MEC Masike.
Thirteen (13) Maternity Waiting Homes have been established and ten (10) are functional across the Province, Masike said. "We have seven (7) maternity waiting homes already established in largely rural Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati , three (3) in Bojanala, two (2) in Ngaka Modiri Molema and one (1) in Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts.
"We will make an effort to increase the number of Maternity Waiting Homes in 2013/14," said MEC Masike.
He pointed out that three more milk banks have been established in Job Shimankane Tabane, Joe Morolong and Mafikeng Provincial hospitals. This is in addition to the one in Potchefstroom Hospital.
The Committee on Morbidity and Mortality in Children under 5 years Report (2012) indicates that South Africa's infant mortality rate decreased from 47.4/ 1000 Live Births in 2007 to 38.1/1000 Live Deaths.
The North West decreased significantly from 77.6\1000 Live Births to 48.4/1000 Live Births. The Under Five Mortality Rate decreased from 62.1/1000 Live births in 2007 to 50.7/1000 Live Births.North West significantly decreased from 100.3\1000 Live Births to 63.1\1000 Live Births in the same period.
MEC Masike applauded Premier Thandi Modise for adopting a Children's Ward at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital and establishing a trust for it. "This is a good example that we can all emulate", he said.
Issued by: North West Health