Saving mothers and new-borns in KwaZulu-Natal

MEC for Health, experts and practitioners in the maternal care services to address media on saving mothers and new-borns in KwaZulu-Natal

12 May 2010

The MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, experts and practitioners in the field of maternal and child health invite the media to a briefing on the outcomes of an Indaba held in April to share ideas on how to reduce maternal and child deaths in KwaZulu-Natal.

The MEC convened an indaba on 24 April 2010 in Durban, where experts and practitioners in the area of maternal and child health shared knowledge and lessons on changing the picture of the rising maternal and child deaths in the province as well as address the declining quality of care, particularly in maternity units.

This Indaba was prompted by reports: the fourth confidential enquiry into maternal deaths, into the causes of mothers and babies dying during pregnancy, at or after birth. The enquiry identified, among others, the following:

* There has been a 20 percent increase in the number of maternal deaths, nationally
* The top five causes remain the same over the years and they are: non-pregnancy related infections (mainly HIV) accounting for 43,7 percent of deaths, complications of hypertension accounting for 15,7 percent of deaths, obstetric haemorrhage accounting for 12,4 percent, pregnancy related sepsis accounting for nine percent and pre-existing maternal disease.
* Unexplained stillbirths formed a large group of deaths
* 44 percent of deaths due to labour related complications were regarded as probably avoidable
* Children under five were largely lost due to perinatal conditions with HIV and malnutrition contributing as both primary and underlying causes, and
* Healthcare workers were mostly found not to follow protocols, poor problem identification and poor initial assessment.

The MEC asserts: "Maternal, perinatal and infant mortality are not just issues of development, but also issues of human rights. The right to health should lie at the heart of the human rights response to mortality. The right to health is intimately connected to other human rights, including the rights to life and education, which are also highly relevant in the struggle against maternal, perinatal and infant mortality".

The press briefing will be addressed by experts and practitioners highlighting problem areas as well as solutions. The MEC will then provide the media with a roadmap for implementation by the department.

Journalists will have an opportunity to engage with the speakers and MEC on these matters, including one on one interviews.

The details are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 13 May 2010
Time: 08h30 for 09h00
Venue: Office of the Premier, The Marine building, 14th floor, Gardener Street, Durban

Contact:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567

Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
12 May 2010