The North West Department of Health has procured 10 well equipped Obstetric ambulances at a cost of R5.9 million.

“These obstetric ambulances will exclusively transport high risk cases that require immediate referral between all levels of care” North West Health MEC Dr Masike said.

According to North West Chapter of Saving Mothers Report 2008 – 2010, the largest part of the population lives mainly in rural areas and 25-30% represents the number of women in a reproductive age (15-49%).

He said amongst administrative avoidable factors of maternal deaths, transport was singled out as a major challenge.

“Twenty two(22) mothers died due to lack of transport, out of which 4 (11%) had problems of home to the institution and 18 (8.1%) institution to institution” said Masike.

In May 2012, Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi launched CARMMA in Kwazulu Natal. In response to the MDG 5, Minister Motsoaledi among other strategies recommended procurement of Obstetric Ambulances.

However, despite the challenges highlighted the Department has made some progress which has seen maternal mortality reduction from 229 per 100 000 live births in 2008 to 145/100 000 live births in 2011.

According to Masike, the province had also seen a decrease in the Infant Mortality Rate from 40 deaths per 1 000 live births in 2009, to 30 deaths per 1 000 live births in the same reporting period.

The figures are expected to decline drastically following the establishment of 16 maternity waiting homes to bring pregnant women closer to birthing places two weeks prior to delivery. Maternity Waiting Homes cater for pregnant women with complications or those that are far from health care facilities.

The Ambulances will be distributed to all Districts as follows:

 DISTRICT

NUMBER

RATIONALE

Bojanala

3

It is vast and highly populated

Dr RSM

3

It is vast and very rural District

NMM

2

Very rural

Dr KK

2

It is an NHI pilot site and has high maternal mortality ratio.

“These ambulances will help improve access to skilled birth attendants, reduce ambulance turn-around time; and reduce maternal and child mortality due to lack of delay of transport. Ten(10) more obstetric ambulances will be procured within the financial year 2014/2015” he said.

Health MEC, Dr. Magome Masike will unveil the 10 Obstetric ambulances in Rustenburg on Wednesday.

The unveiling will coincide with a two day Provincial Health Consultative Forum to be attended by health stakeholders in the province. The aim of the forum is to involve both internal and external stakeholders to participate and advise the department on its policies and programmes targeted at improving the provision of health care services. 

Amongst issues to be looked at the forum include improvement of health status of communities through implementation of integrated health programme and promotion of healthy living, management of district health system; and impact of municipal services to quality health care.

Details are as follows:
Venue: Orion Safari Lodge, Rustenburg Kloof
Date: 19 to 20 March 2014
(Obstetric ambulances will be unveiled at 12h00)

Time: 10h00
-TDN
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