Question NW914 to the Minister of Health

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08 June 2020 - NW914

Profile picture: Van Staden, Mr PA

Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Since the start of the lockdown to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, what has been the total number of persons in (a) public and (b) private hospitals, in each province who (i) were treated for hunger-related diseases, (ii) have died due to hunger-related diseases and (iii) are still being treated for hunger-related diseases; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

(1) (a) (i) The District Health Information System (DHIS) only collects nutrition-related data on severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children under 5 years of age. The DHIS data is available for March and April 2020 and reflects that nationally 991 children were admitted in public hospitals for SAM in March 2020. In comparison 1220 children under 5 were admitted with SAM in March 2019. In April 2020 596 children under 5 were admitted to public hospitals with SAM compared to 1118 in April 2019. These data show that the number of children admitted with SAM were lower in March and April 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Refer to Annexure 1.

(ii) According to the DHIS in March 2020 there were 83 SAM related deaths in public hospitals while in April 2020 there were 50. In comparison in March 2019 and April 2019 there were 91 SAM related deaths each month. As for SAM admissions, SAM deaths were lower in March and April 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Refer to Annexure 1.

(iii) The DHIS does record the number of children or adults currently being treated for hunger-related diseases.

(b) The National Department of Health has no data from the private hospitals on number of people treated for hunger-related diseases, died from hunger related diseases or still being treated for hunger-related diseases.

(2) The statement has already been made on this matter.

END.

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