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More than 39% of pregnant women heeded the call to visit ante-natal clinics before 20 weeks of gestation between July and September 2012.

The number has increased from 33% between April and June 2012 to 39.6% in the second quarter which is closer to the set target of 40%.

The improvement in this rate is due to weekly mobilisation on the importance of early bookings through tools such as local media and cell phone messaging.

Despite the achievement the department continues to encourage mothers to immediately go to a clinic when they suspect that they are pregnant so they can be tested and healthcare provided to them and their unborn babies.

“We are making a call for more pregnant mothers to come in first 20 weeks as that will assist them to identify pregnancy related complications and ensure that they give birth to healthy children,” the department’s spokesperson, Simon Zwane.

To further ensure quality healthcare delivery to pregnant women, the province has also initiated 76% of antenatal women on AZT.

Also noted between July and September 2012 is an increase in the number of women who delivered within health facilities from 95% between April and June 2012 to 97% between July and September 2012.

The department intends to continue with education programmes that will ensure that women present at facilities in time in order to reduce pregnancy related complications.