The National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths monitors maternal deaths that occur within health facilities. The most recent data from this Committee is reflected below.
Institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio (Saving Mothers report 2011-2013)
PROVINCE |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
||
Eastern Cape |
164.74 |
153.71 |
172.73 |
||
Free State |
246.84 |
149.34 |
185.08 |
||
Gauteng |
136.44 |
163.67 |
114.99 |
||
KwaZulu-Natal |
197.60 |
170.19 |
146.54 |
||
Limpopo |
196.40 |
192.89 |
201.21 |
||
Mpumalanga |
199.74 |
177.39 |
150.25 |
||
North West |
173.05 |
164.80 |
168.48 |
||
North West |
193.62 |
166.53 |
158.32 |
||
Western Cape |
62.64 |
81.81 |
83.91 |
||
South Africa |
174.56 |
157.81 |
153.50 |
||
2. Yes the causes are known through the work done by National Committee on Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death (NCCEMD) established by the Minister of Health.
a) The main causes of Maternal Mortality according to the latest NCCEMD triennial, 2011-2013 report are as follows:
(b) Interventions to address the main causes of maternal deaths being implemented include:
(i) Option B plus to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV
This policy was adopted and implemented from 01 January 2015. The policy stipulates that all HIV pregnant and breastfeeding women must be initiated on lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART) for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and their own health regardless of CD4 count and on diagnosis.
(ii) Essential Steps in the Management of Obstetric Emergencies (ESMOE) and Emergency Obstetric Simulation Training (EOST)
(iii) Community mobilization efforts
(iv) Efforts of Health System Strengthening
(v) Efforts to address access to services
(vi) Family planning
The launching of the family planning campaign in 2014 and introduction of sub-dermal implant as a long term method of family planning had a positive impact on family planning practices. The Couple Year Protection Rate has improved from 37.7% in F/Y 2013/2014 to 52.7% in F/Y 2014/15. Improvement of family planning strategies assists in preventing unwanted pregnancies as well as teenage pregnancies which may lead to maternal mortality.
END.