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Skewed emphasis on medicine provision: Minister
by SAPA
2001-09-06

There was a skewed emphasis on medical interventions in efforts to improve the health of South Africans, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Tuesday. Those advocating this approach overlooked the important contribution of other factors like proper nutrition, she told a ceremony at the George Masebe Hospital in Potgietersrus in the Northern Province. She said other forms of treatment, which were safe and effective in a resource constrained and underdeveloped environment like South Africa, were often discarded altogether. This included the treatment of opportunistic infections, provided at all public health institutions. She said diseases like tuberculosis, AIDS and cancer often lead to a loss of appetite, diarrhoea, excessive weight loss and consequently a further suppression of the immune system. Mortality rates were higher among malnourished patients. A healthy diet would improve one's general well-being, replace lost nutrients, and stimulate the immune system. The minister presented national guidelines which provide advice on how to support the immune system, what to eat or not eat under specific conditions, and how to cope with problems such as poor appetite, heartburn, diarrhoea, weight loss and constipation. The minister on Tuesday also inaugurated the George Masebe Hospital as a baby friendly hospital as part of her department's drive to improve maternity services. The initiative aims largely at boosting successful breastfeeding. For an institution to qualify as a baby friendly hospital, it should have a written policy on breastfeeding, inform all pregnant mothers of the benefits of breastfeeding, and teach new mothers the necessary skills. (Source: SAPA, 4 September 2001)

There was a skewed emphasis on medical interventions in efforts to improve the health of South Africans, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Tuesday.

Those advocating this approach overlooked the important contribution of other factors like proper nutrition, she told a ceremony at the George Masebe Hospital in Potgietersrus in the Northern Province.

This approach is even worse in the field of HIV and AIDS, where our response is being reduced to a single issue of antiretroviral drugs. 

If we do not provide these drugs in the public health sector, we are accused of not providing treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. The minister was launching new guidelines to help people suffering from tuberculosis, AIDS, cancer and other debilitating conditions live a healthier life.

She said other forms of treatment, which were safe and effective in a resource constrained and underdeveloped environment like South Africa, were often discarded altogether.

This included the treatment of opportunistic infections, provided at all public health institutions.

An area that has suffered most neglect in this situation is the importance of nutrition as a major factor in the health of our population, Tshabalala-Msimang said in a prepared speech.

She said diseases like tuberculosis, AIDS and cancer often lead to a loss of appetite, diarrhoea, excessive weight loss and consequently a further suppression of the immune system.

Mortality rates were higher among malnourished patients.

A healthy diet would improve one's general well-being, replace lost nutrients, and stimulate the immune system.

Therefore, the objective of the national guidelines I present to you today is to collate nutritional information relating to such conditions, and put it into positive use for people with these conditions and their caregivers, Tshabalala-Msimang said.

The guidelines provide advice on how to support the immune system, what to eat or not eat under specific conditions, and how to cope with problems such as poor appetite, heartburn, diarrhoea, weight loss and constipation.

The minister on Tuesday also inaugurated the George Masebe Hospital as a baby friendly hospital as part of her department's drive to improve maternity services.

The initiative aims largely at boosting successful breastfeeding.

For an institution to qualify as a baby friendly hospital, it should have a written policy on breastfeeding, inform all pregnant mothers of the benefits of breastfeeding, and teach new mothers the necessary skills.

The introduction of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative has already resulted in the reduction of the infant mortality rate, and a decrease in maternal deaths, the minister said.

The hospital is the 24th out of 480 maternity facilities countrywide to gain the status of a baby friendly hospital.

Another 36 are expected to join them by the year 2004.

Source: SAPA, 4 September 2001

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