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Recent statistics revealing the high rate of maternal deaths in South
Africa raises serious concern and pose a big challenge to our health
sector.

" The results clearly state that South Africa is one of the leading
countries in Africa when it comes to maternal deaths. The Department of
Health needs to drastically improve its current maternal death
prevention programmes, as they are clearly not working" said Mrs Hilda
Msweli, IFP Spokesperson on Health.

Msweli stated that "A situation where over 1000 pregnant women lose
their lives each year to deaths that are preventable, is unacceptable
and needs urgent intervention. Comprehensive education programmes must
be taken into communities to inform mothers-to-be about antenatal care
and the dangers of back-street abortions" said Msweli.

The IFP calls for the Department of Health to train more skilled
mid-wives to work within communities and at health-care facilities close
to communities.

"Mothers-to-be who need to travel long distances to attend these
facilities will always be at risk" said Msweli.