New maternity clinics opened to prevent maternal deaths
Not a single mother or child should die during a birth delivery in a government hospital. However, in order for this to be realised, young people are urged to delay engaging in sex for as long as possible.
NEWCASTLE – Not a single mother or child should die during a birth delivery in a government hospital.
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However, in order for this to be realised, young people are urged to delay engaging in sex for as long as possible. Women of child-bearing age should visit their nearest Primary Health Care centre (clinic), as soon as they suspect they might be pregnant, so problems can be picked up and addressed.
This is according to KZN Health MEC, Doctor Sibongiseni Dhlomo, who officially opened a new maternity section at Somkhele Clinic, in Mtubatuba, on July 12.
The maternity section is believed to be valued at R3.9 million, and was donated by Tendele Coal Mining in Richards Bay.
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The clinic is fully equipped with the following amenities:
– Emergency Room
– Delivery Room with two beds
– Post Natal Room with two beds
– Ablution facilities
– Sluice Room
– Nurses’ Room.
Dr Dhlomo said the clinic was extended and a maternity section was built. There are nurses provided to assist people. The clinic invites all expecting mothers to use their services.
“This clinic is not just a decoration, but it is for you to use. If there are health problems with your pregnancy, they could be identified early enough and the appropriate intervention could be made.”
Somkhele Clinic is ready to deal with the five major causes of maternal deaths, which are:
– Non-pregnancy related infections mainly due to AIDS
– Obstetric haemorrhage (excessive bleeding)
– Complications due to hypertension
– Pregnancy related infections
– Complications of pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
“All of the above mentioned can be avoided if the correct steps are followed. If you are HIV positive, we urge you to come to the clinic for a check-up and receive the necessary medication,” he said.
Dr Dhlomo said when the Anti Sugar Daddy Billboards were launched at Hlabisa, three years ago, it had been in response to the 1 575 birth deliveries by girls under the age of 18.
“Indeed, these are mostly unplanned and unwarranted pregnancies, and they actually endanger the lives of both the young mother and her unborn baby.”
Dr Dhlomo urged parents to advise their children not to get involved in romantic relationships too early, and to abstain from sex for as long as possible.
He said young girls, who could not abstain from sex, should visit their nearest clinic and use Dual Protection, which is the use of female contraceptive methods. This ensures protection against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
He also warned health care workers about the dangers of admonishing young people when they sought family planning services, cautioning that failure to assist them could result in these young girls later presenting themselves pregnant, or having complications from unsuccessful backstreet abortions.
“Healthcare workers should ensure more health facilities, which offer adolescent and youth-friendly health services.”
Earlier, Dr Dhlomo visited the Ngwelezane Hospital, where old structures were being demolished for a new medical ward section to be built, with 192 beds. A new Crisis Centre was also under construction.
“These buildings will significantly improve the services of the facility. We appreciate the infrastructure allocation that makes us build clinics and hospitals in areas that no previous government ever did.”
He explained the ANC government would be building hospitals in rural areas like Pomeroy, Jozini and Dannhauser as well.
“At the same time, we are obliged to revitalise and expand the existing facilities like Ngwelezane, Lower Umfolozi Memorial Hospital, Edendale, Madadeni and many others,” he concluded.
