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South Africa scores poorly on “Saving Mothers”

Almost 5 000 women died while pregnant or within 42 days of giving birth in South Africa between 2008 and 2010, more than in any of the previous years.

This is according to the Saving Mothers report that summarises findings on the confidential enquiries into maternal deaths in South Africa between 2008 to 2010.

The “big 5” accounted for 86.5% of maternal deaths – Non Pregnancy Related Infections (NPRI) at 40.5% was by far the biggest factor.

The majority of these NPRI conditions were diagnosed before birth (59.7%), but the majority of deaths occurred after the births (60.6%).

Source URL: 
http://www.health-e.org.za/news/article.php?uid=20033553

HIV/AIDS and chronic diseases - learning from each other

Health officials in sub-Saharan Africa are finally focusing on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, having spent much of the past decade concentrating on HIV/AIDS and malaria.

The growth of NCDs in developing countries has gone almost unnoticed, having been largely perceived as a problem affecting affluent countries. But NCDs have overtaken infectious diseases as the leading cause of death worldwide, with nearly 80 percent of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Source URL: 
http://www.plusnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93768

Maternal mortality and morbidity – still not right

Maternal mortality – The global picture

The death of a woman who leaves behind a young family has devastating consequences for these survivors, with increased chances of disadvantage, illness and premature death, especially in poorer societies. Maternal death (death during pregnancy or less than 42 days after the end of a pregnancy) is also the outcome measure that causes serious concern to public health authorities and maternity care clinicians. No health outcome shows such large discrepancies between rich and poor nations. The most recent reliable figures show more than hundred-fold differences in maternal mortality ratios (MMR – deaths per 100 000 live births).

Source URL: 
http://www.phasa.org.za/articles/maternal-mortality-and-morbidity-%E2%80%93-stil...

A healthier future

Rarely in South Africa can a minister have come to power carrying such a weight of expectation as Barbara Hogan. Her first major public speech at the Aids Vaccine Conference in Cape Town in October was greeted with enthusiasm, and even international delegates speculated about the bright future that seems to lie ahead at last for South African healthcare. Her speech was reminiscent of one of those games where one has to bash crocodiles on the head as they pop up apparently randomly through holes in the floor. Politely, and without naming names, Hogan took a baseball bat and bashed all the major crocodiles on the head: Matthias Rath and his vitamins, for instance. Most of all she asserted the fact that HIV causes Aids.

Reduced queues, improved maternal health among GPG achievements

The Chronic Medication Distribution Project, which was launched to reduce long queues at clinics and improve maternal and child health, are amongst the achievements the Gauteng Provincial Government can boast about. This is according to MEC for Health Brian Hlongwa, who on Tuesday reflected on the departments achievements over the past six months.

Summary Bulletin 8 - DHS-LG Discussion List

"MINOR AILMENTS"

These sentiments opened a discussion that included attempts to define "minor ailments", how to deal with the problems of excessive workload and the lack of staff at clinics.

Definition of "minor ailments"

Professional Roles and ARV provision

It is clear that large-scale treatment for HIV will depend on re-thinking the use of human resources if it is to have public health benefits. Health care staff working in multi-disciplinary teams providing long-term HIV care may find their roles changing over time in ways that will need careful management. The role of nurses is of particular importance in many settings, and there is clearly scope for expanding that role with appropriate training and support. Nurse practitioners trained to prescribe a range of medicines and nurse-led clinics are among the options that need to be explored. Specialised pharmacists can also take on a major role in supporting people with HIV on treatment. A system that chooses first-line regimens that can be managed with limited direct involvement from doctors will be able to make more use of other health care staff in managing them. Human resource issues are therefore directly connected with the development of national treatment guidelines. Lay involvement, starting with peer support, may also be needed for a successful large-scale treatment programme. A variety of models for peer support and treatment education are available for use. Social stigma doesn't automatically disappear when services are established (though treatment certainly helps to overcome it). As well as training, resources are needed to prevent occupational exposure to HIV. Continuing professional support and development are needed by all staff involved in delivering HIV treatment, and not only in relation to ARVs.