{"id":102136,"date":"2015-10-14T08:20:00","date_gmt":"2015-10-14T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/102136\/mother-and-child-wellbeing-a-concern-for-all\/"},"modified":"2015-10-14T08:56:58","modified_gmt":"2015-10-14T06:56:58","slug":"mother-and-child-wellbeing-a-concern-for-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2015\/10\/14\/mother-and-child-wellbeing-a-concern-for-all\/","title":{"rendered":"Mother and child wellbeing a concern for all"},"content":{"rendered":"

Child birth is a natural occurrence and no life should be lost during the process.<\/p>\n

The metro, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), communicated this key message at a recent Mother and Child Dialogue held at the Vosloorus Civic Centre in Boksburg.<\/p>

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\u201cWe have noticed a growing trend of maternal and child mortality in Ekurhuleni and this indicated to us that there is a need to raise awareness and start the dialogue about maternal death in our communities,\u201d said the director for maternal health at the GDoH, Sikhonjiwe Masilele.<\/p>\n

Causes of maternal death including HIV and AIDS, excessive bleeding and poor nutrition were discussed at the dialogue.<\/p>

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To ensure early detection of diseases and deficiencies, health practitioners emphasised the importance of commencing antenatal care before 14 weeks of pregnancy and preferably after missing one menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n

Those who attended the dialogue were given an opportunity to submit their recommendations on how to decrease the mother and child mortality rate. These recommendations will be scrutinised and those that are viable will be implemented.<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/a>
Former Ekurhuleni MMC for health and retired tutor, Nontja Nciza (back) speaks during the recent Mother and Child Dialogue held in Vosloorus, Boksburg.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While the formal dialogue took place in the hall, Love Life, one of the stakeholders present, used outdoor educational games and quizzes to educate the youth about HIV and Aids, nutrition, mother and child health, as well as the importance of leading healthy lifestyles.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrevention is better than cure. I\u2019m going to start leading a healthy lifestyle from now on and make more informed decisions that will have a positive impact on my health when I\u2019m ready to become a mother,\u201d said 24 year-old Siyo Somtsewu.<\/p>\n

In making it evident that improving maternal and child health is one of the City\u2019s priorities, 36 903 pregnant women have been registered on the MomConnect system. This is a system where pregnant women are sent a sms reminding them of their next<\/p>\n

antenatal appointment and tips on how to care for both themselves and their unborn child.<\/p>\n

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development, Clr Makhosazana Mabaso, encouraged residents to know their HIV status in order to prevent mother-to-child transmission. By doing so, she explained, they will contribute towards eliminating new HIV infections.<\/p>\n

In her closing remarks, the MMC pleaded with health practitioners present to take care of patients when they visit health facilities and also thanked those who honour their oath in caring for the development of families, communities and the nation.<\/p>\n

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Other articles you may be interested in:<\/p>\n

Metro requests consumers to use water sparingly<\/a><\/p>\n

Man falls down open manhole<\/a><\/p>\n

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