Somlomo wePhalamende [Speaker of Parliament], the ANC welcomes the interventions implemented by the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development which have resulted in a decline in infant and maternal mortality rates in the province. According to a report tabled before the Gauteng legislature's Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, preliminary data for 2008 to 2011 show an improvement in the maternal mortality rate from 166 to 144 deaths per 100 000 live births. Data for the first quarter of 2011 also indicate a decrease in the prenatal mortality rate from 33,5 per 1 000 in 2010 to 28,7 per 1 000. Neonatal deaths were also reduced from 11,7 per 100 to 10,5 per 100 in the same period.
These reductions are due to the interventions implemented last year, such as improvements in the neonatal units at the Natalspruit and Charlotte Maxeke Hospitals, as well as infection control at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The East Rand and Sebokeng hospitals were also improved by installing waterless antibacterial handwash dispensers in the neonatal wards.
The ANC regards the reduction in maternal deaths as an indication that Gauteng Province is making progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goal target of reducing the number of baby deaths. I thank you. [Applause.]