More people turn to clinics

According to the records, between April and June 2011, 3 598 447 patients under the age of five were treated at PHCs and the number increased between July and September 2011 to 3 817 948.

The number of visits also increased from 689 606 in the first quarter for patients older than five years to 712 167 in the second quarter.

"We are happy that people are now responding to our call of seeking medical assistance at clinics and only go to hospital on referral. We, however, urge more people to use the appropriate levels of care to avoid inconveniences such as long queues," said Gauteng MEC for Health and Social Development MEC, Ntombi Mekgwe.

She added that the department aimed for an increase before the end of this financial year to five million for patients under the age of five and one million for those over the age of five.

However, Mekgwe remarked that the department was experiencing challenges with antenatal visits before 20 weeks gestation as the performance was slightly lower (33%) in the second quarter compared to 36% in first quarter.

"This may be due to women still believing that antenatal attendance is only necessary when the stomach is showing. We are making a call for more pregnant mothers to come in the first 20 weeks as that will assist them to identify pregnancy related complications and ensure that they give birth to healthy children," she said.

To ensure a decrease in maternal and neonatal deaths, she said the department was continuing with social mobilisation, which includes door-to-door campaigns targeting areas with poor statistics.