SA battles to reduce infant mortality rate

The health minister says one infant death is one too many

Too many infants are still dying at birth, hampering the health department’s efforts to achieve its Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reducing child deaths by two thirds. Children under the age of five account for the highest number of deaths in 2005.
The National Health Consultative Forum is assessing its progress in achieving the MDG target at the midpoint of the 2015 deadline. The child mortality target is 20 per 1 000 births - South Africa's is more than double that.

Reducing maternal deaths is becoming a bigger challenge. One hundred and forty-seven women per 1 000 die at birth, compared to 97 in 2000. The health department says the number is far too high for a middle-income country like South Africa.

“The death of one baby is one too many, so we have to double our efforts to make sure we reduce (the number). I think what is encouraging is the immunisation coverage, which has improved,” said Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the national health minister.

KwaZulu-Natal faces biggest challenge
Low birth weight and poor maternal nutrition are among the causes of death. Studies show that it is also linked to TB and HIV. This is definitely the case in KwaZulu-Natal province, which has the highest rate of infant deaths in the country. It is hoped an HIV monitoring system of pregnant mothers will help combat the problem.

Meanwhile, the prevalence of HIV has decreased marginally in the 20 to 30 age group. However, older groups show an increase. With statistics being used to assess progress, the health department is questioning the credibility of several studies with negative findings.

“Figures are important because you are tracking progress. But they lose value if they are contested on minor (issues),” said Nthari Matsau, the deputy director general of health.

The country is making progress in combating malnutrition, polio and malaria. Its immunisation coverage has also improved.