NCOP
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 521
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 October 2011
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 33)
Mr A Watson (DA-Mpumalanga) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether there is a standardised referral policy between the different
levels of health institutions; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will
one be developed; if so, (i) what is this policy, with specific
reference to child bearing women and (ii) who is responsible for
ensuring that the policy is being adhered to;
(2) whether his department has conducted any studies in respect of
pregnant women who are dying as a result of not being referred to a
higher health facility in accordance with the referral policy; if not,
why not; if so, what were the outcomes?
CW624E
REPLY:
1) There is a referral policy from primary health care (clinic) to a
community health centre, then to district hospital in each health
district. The next referral point is the regional hospital, followed
by tertiary hospitals and central hospitals.
For child bearing women the service delivery platform is as follows:
a) Sexual and reproductive health services are provided in all
Primary Health Care facilities (including Community Health
Centers) and in District Hospitals;
b) Ante Natal Care is provided in Primary Health Care facilities
(including Community Health Centers) routinely;
c) Labour and Delivery services are provided in Maternal Obstetric
Units, Community Health Centers and District Hospitals;
d) Post Natal Services are provided at Primary Health Care and
Community Health Centers.
2) The Department of Health has not commissioned or conducted any studies
to date. The confidential enquiry into maternal deaths process serves
as a general ongoing study. The causes are due to the failure to
recognize the seriousness of a condition, by the referring of the
referral hospital, or lack of capacity in accommodating the patient
who is being referred.
END.