Maternal Deaths Quadruple In South Africa

Diane Alter

Johannesburg, South Africa

A new report released by New York based Human Rights Watch show that maternal deaths in South Africa have quadrupled while most African countries have improved them,

South Africa spends the most on health care per citizen, about $748 a year, and has the most advanced health care infrastructure and expertise on the continent.

Maternity care is free in the country and abortion is legal. Also, health care professional employ a system of confidential inquires to asses levels and causes of maternal death.

Almost 87 percent of women give birth in a hospital or clinic in South Africa where they should be getting professional care.

Yet, more than 4,500 maternal deaths are reported yearly. The study reveals that from 1998 to 2007, the maternal death rate jumped from 150 to 625 for each 100,000 live births

While some say the increase may be due to better reporting, and the extremely high HIV/AIDS rate, that afflicts some 5.7 million people in the country, others say the rise is due to poor accountability, mistreatment of patients, corruption and poor care.

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