Perinatal Deaths
5 babies die out of 100 deliveries in poor rural areas in South Africa.
There is really no reason why this so-called perinatal mortality rate (still-births and deaths during the first seven days of life) should not be comparable to perinatal deaths in high-income settings, whose perinatal death is 7 per 1 000 deliveries (i.e., less than one death per 100 deliveries).
According to UNICEF and WHO, Neonatal resuscitation training has been reported to reduce deaths due to intrapartum (during labour) asphyxia (lack of oxygen to the baby) by 30%.
Improved obstetric care (very good care to the pregnant mother) would also contribute to a reduced number of neonatal deaths. UNICEF and WHO maintain that we can achieve results of first world status despite our poor economic conditions.
We pride ourselves with highly trained and dedicated professional nurses and doctors, one of whom has been at the forefront of maternal and neonatal health for more than three decades. During these three decades, more than a thousand babies were safely delivered, and some of these babies, who were delivered in his limited private resource settings have become successful members in our communities, such as educators, lawyers, doctors, etc.
Thanks to his pioneering efforts, a well-resourced maternity setting has been established, which setting is well-positioned to reduce perinatal and maternal mortality to that recommended by WHO.
