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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Senior Health Reporter
Mpilo CENTRAL Hospital has over the past decade seen maternal deaths plummet by 70 percent following targeted implementation of interventions to ensure that no woman dies while giving birth.
The hospital, which was reporting at least 60 deaths every year, reported only 18 deaths last year and is maintaining the pressure and interventions.
Speaking on the sidelines of a tour of the hospital last week, Mpilo Hospital chief executive Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said the hospital had a deliberate policy to reduce maternal deaths.
“The hospital was recording many maternal deaths and we have managed to reduce them from 700 per 100 000 live births to 200 per 100 000 live births. In simple terms it means about 60 women used to die every year while giving birth, but as of last year, we lost 18 women.
“That is a huge drop from what used to happen and this has been a very deliberate policy in the hospital to reduce maternal mortality. We have taken measures of being very strict and scrutinising every death and correcting every mistake that happens,” he said.
Maternal death can happen while a woman is pregnant, during labour and delivery, or in the 42 days after childbirth or the termination of pregnancy.
According to the World Health Organisation, the leading causes of maternal deaths are haemorrhage and hypertension, which together account for more than a half of maternal deaths.
Indirect causes, which include deaths due to conditions such as malaria, HIV and cardiac diseases, account for about one-fifth of maternal deaths.
Prof Ngwenya said the most common cause of death in pregnant women was hypertension disorders and obstetric haemorrhage and infections.
“What happens with obstetric haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders is that most of our women delay coming to hospital. Hypertension needs dedicated interventions.
“Women should book early and have regular antenatal check-ups so that we pick up this condition. Once this condition develops we should be able to intervene early when the mother’s health is threatened and correct the situation.
“We encourage people to report and book their births early instead of coming here as emergencies when we can hardly help,” he said.
Government had introduced measures to control deaths from malaria and HIV hence there had been tremendous decline in such cases. Prof Ngwenya said Mpilo hospital had prioritised the safety of all pregnant women and the interventions were paying off.
“Pregnancy is not a disease, hence it remains critical that all women should deliver safely. The loss of even one mother is devastating and we want to avoid this at all costs,” he added.
Mrs Thulisile Mafa, who suffered from a hypertension during pregnancy, said the care by hospital staff during her pregnancy and delivery had saved her life.
“From the time I got pregnant, my blood pressure was too high, so the nurses told me that I could not book at the clinic close to my home but had to go straight to Mpilo Hospital.
“I would come for antenatal visits every two weeks so that the doctors could monitor me and the baby until I gave birth. My situation was very serious especially on the day that I delivered.
“I experienced seizures and the doctors quickly moved in to stabilise my blood pressure until I could safely get into the theatre and they operated on me. I am thankful to be alive today and to have my baby in my arms,” she said.
Another mother, Ms Sibusisiwe Dube said although she had not made any antenatal booking in advance, she had delivered her baby safely at Mpilo.
“I stay in South Africa so when I arrived at Phelandaba clinic I was already late so they referred me to Mpilo hospital. This was my fourth caesarean section and I was worried about how it would turn out. I have heard stories of how midwives ill-treat patients, especially those who come without booking, but this did not happen to me. The doctors and nurses treated me with great care and here I am with my baby,” she said.
First time mom, Nicole Moyo (19) said she had experienced prolonged labour which had put her baby in distress.
“I was in labour for days but I was not dilating fast enough. When I noticed that I was bleeding, I went to the clinic where I had booked but they quickly transferred me to Mpilo Hospital.
“Since this was my first pregnancy, I did not know what to expect but once I arrived here, I was operated on and we are both safe,” she said.
Online Reporter