Non-pregnancy related infections, aggravated by the occurence of tubercolosis (TB), remain one of the top three causes of maternal deaths across the Free State. The provincial MEC for Health, Mathabo Leeto, revealed this large-scaled challenge during the Rotary Family Health Day (RFHD) held in the Kagisanong Hall in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, on Wednesday, 8 November.
This initiative has for more than ten years now set out to provide comprehensive and preventative health programmes that build healthier communities.
Leeto blames the non-adherence to prescribed treatment among pregnant women for the dire situation, as the prevalence thereof was revealed by the latest reports. The non-adherence to the prescribed use of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment has also been revealed.
“The untreated maternal infections have a negative impact on neonatal morbidity and mortality.
“There is an increasing trend in premature births, where 15% of live births are below 2 500 g, with the expected weight being between 2,5 kg and 4,25 kg.
“This low birth weight increases the risk of death related to extreme prematurity,” said Leeto.
She said the premature infant pain profile (PiPP) data of the second quarter of the current financial year demonstrated that 47,1% of deaths were related to prematurity.
“Data is also indicating an increase in syphilis among pregnant women, thus increasing the risk of congenital syphilis in newborn babies.
“Despite the province improving on the rate of HIV positivity at birth, there are concerns on the increasing positivity rates at 18 months.
“This contributes to the upsurge in deaths of the population under five years old. Clearly this calls for drastic interventions to mitigate against the scourge of high rates of mortality,” said Leeto.
She pointed out the importance of public education and awareness to strengthen messaging and to broaden access to life-saving healthcare services.
“We are encouraging pregnant women to show up at clinics for early check-ups so that the status and state of their unborn children can be known.
“This is necessary for early interventions and implementations if there are abnormalities identified.
“We encourage pregnant women to use approved medicines and not mix their medications with concoctions that may complicate their pregnancy or harm their unborn babies,” said Leeto.
