International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Many South African women are dying during childbirth as a result of a lack of knowledge regarding the health system, a healthcare professional has said.

According to Amelia Lexhaba, a midwife in the country, high blood pressure, diabetes, pre and post-natal bleeding and HIV are responsible for most maternal fatalities in the country, reports the New Age.

However, she said these problems are leading to many fatality outcomes because women are not getting the medical treatment they require.

"Many women do not book themselves into a hospital prior to giving birth and then we don't know how to treat them if they have complications," Ms Lexhaba commented.

Dr Julitta Onabanjo of the UN Population Fund added that four to five of the African women who die as a result of childbirth complications every day come from South Africa.

She insisted that many of these could be prevented, but stressed the government is taking its commitment to addressing this problem seriously.

Posted by Martine Ward