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Decline in Pregnancy-Related Deaths in Gauteng
BuaNews
2004-11-19

The number of women dying due to early pregnancy related complications in Gauteng has declined significantly since 1999, the provincial health department has said. According to information released by the department, the number of women dying due to ectopic pregnancies and septic abortions has decreased by 33 percent.

In 1998 twelve percent of pregnant women were dying because of ectopic pregnancies and septic abortion compared to eight percent in 2001, said Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa. 

She said the decline was a result of improved accessibility to contraceptives and sterilisation services, better reproductive health education and the availability of Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) services. 

We have increased access to contraceptives to improve the health status of women by reducing unwanted pregnancies and the risks associated with childbirth. Emergency contraception [the morning after pill] is provided at all primary health care clinics and communit ies are encouraged to use these services, the MEC added.

More than 2.7 million (60.9 percent) of women in the reproductive age group in Gauteng use public health facilities to access free birth control services. 

MEC Ramokgopa said sterilisation services were available in all public hospitals and that 2 500 women made use of this service in 2002. 

TOP services are provided in 12 hospitals and 10 community health centres countrywide and a total of 168 midwives have been trained to perform the procedure.

Thirty-two midwives were further trained in post abortion contraceptive counseling to assist clients not to use termination of pregnancy as a method of contraception, the MEC explained. Source: BuaNews, 17November 2004).

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