Question NW891 to the Minister of Health
07 October 2019 - NW891
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
What is the national programme of action in addressing the staff and facility shortages in maternity wards around the country, which result in the avoidable instances of negligence and maternal and neonatal fatalities that cost the department millions in claims against it?
Reply:
The National Department of Health is working with the Ministerial Committees, the National Confidential Enquiry into Maternal deaths (NCCEMD) and the National Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity Committee (NaPeMMCo) to review the proposal on norms and standards as recommended by the International Federation of Obstetricians (FIGO). The provincial representatives in both committees are consulting with provincial managers to adapt the standards and norms to address staff and facility shortages in maternity wards across the country so that they fit the South African context. The pre final report together with the Saving Mothers, Saving Babies 2018 recommendations will be presented to the National Health Council in November 2019 for ratification and adoption.
END.