South Africa continues to face challenges with high child mortality rates, despite advancements in healthcare. Preventable and treatable diseases like pneumonia, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections are still leading causes of death among children under five. According to Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), there has been a rise in children’s deaths, with a reported increase to 40 per 1000 live births in 2022 from 28 per 1000 live births in 2020.
Professor Shanaaz Mathews, research director at the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Cape Town, notes that the reasons for rising childhood mortality after COVID-19 lockdowns are unclear due to delays in the release of causes of death data. During the strict lockdown restrictions in 2020, there was a downward trend in child mortality, possibly due to the absence of winter increases in respiratory infections and diarrhoea outbreaks resulting from reduced socializing and traveling.
The primary causes of child mortality in South Africa are neonatal factors, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malnutrition. Mathews emphasizes that malnutrition often underlies the deaths of young children. Concerns have been raised about the disruption of childhood immunization programs during the pandemic, leading to a drop in immunization coverage rates among infants.
Lower respiratory tract infections, particularly pneumonia, remain a major cause of disability and death in children under five, despite being largely preventable through vaccination. Mathews highlights that immunization rates in certain regions have not yet returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.
Professor Ziyaad Dangor, clinical research director at Wits Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytic Research Unit (VIDA), points out that inaccurate diagnoses and inappropriate treatment contribute to high child mortality rates. Poisoning is also a common cause of death in children, with incidents of food poisoning being reported in recent months.
Challenges in reducing child deaths include limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and the impact of poverty on children’s health. Mathews notes that poor children bear the greatest burden of disease due to undernutrition and poorer living conditions, with health facilities being less accessible to the poor.
The government is implementing evidence-based interventions to prevent, detect early, treat, and refer children with common childhood illnesses. Capacity-building for clinicians, improved monitoring and evaluation, and the implementation of standard inpatient pediatric registers are among the key actions taken by the Department of Health to address child mortality.
The Child Gauge 2024 report warns of worsening trends in the country and calls for urgent action to protect young lives. Addressing child mortality in South Africa requires sustained investments in healthcare, public awareness, and targeted interventions to combat poverty and inequality. It is important to prioritize our health and well-being in order to live a fulfilling life. With the constant advancements in medicine and technology, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest health news and trends.
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