Our communities are currently experiencing a marked increase in unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, including teenage pregnancy (10% of annual deliveries are from teenagers) and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. During 2004, 12,000 terminations of pregnancy were performed. Data for 2005 is not yet available. Therefore couples are urged to make use of the freely available and effective contraceptive methods at their local health facility, to protect themselves and each other.
Reproductive Health Month will be launched in the Western Cape at an annual Reproductive Health Update Seminar on 17 February 2006 at the River Club in Observatory. The Department of Health will also use this opportunity to launch the Western Cape Youth Health Z-Card.
A variety of activities are scheduled for February '06 to celebrate Reproductive Health Month and thus promote and strengthen reproductive health and health care. They include:
The key messages for this intervention include:
Useful Toll Free Telephone Numbers for communities to access include:
The Western Cape Provincial Government is committed to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) by focusing on eradicating poverty, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV / AIDS and ensuring environmental sustainability.
South Africa has some of the most liberal legislation globally in terms of recognizing human rights, including sexual and reproductive health rights, enshrined in the Constitution (Act No.108 of 1996) and the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (No. 92 of 1996) as amended (Act No. 38 of 2004).
The Department of Health has progressive policies in place, including a Contraception Policy and Contraception Policy Service Delivery Guidelines, Cervical Cancer Screening, Policy and Strategy for Implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy legislation, Sexual Assault Policy, Management Guidelines on Sexual Assault Care, Youth and Adolescence Health Policy, School Health, Policy Guidelines for the Management and Prevention of Genetics Disorders, Birth Defects and Disability and Maternity Case Records.
Programmes with the aim of reducing maternal and infant mortality are in place such as the National Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Death Notification and Peri-natal Problem Identification.
Communities have free access to reproductive health services which include contraceptive services, maternal health, cervical and breast cancer screening, termination of pregnancy HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (S.T.I.s)
A variety of contraceptive methods are available from all public health clinics in the province. These include oral contraception (pills), injectables, intra-uterine devices, male and female condoms, male and female sterilization and emergency contraception (EC). Dual protection (DP) - the correct and consistent use of condoms only, or a condom plus another contraceptive method (backed up by EC, in case of an accident), is emphasized for protection against both unwanted pregnancy and S.T.I.s, including HIV.
For further information contact:
World Cancer Day: Ms Marco Tel: 012 689 5347
Condom week: Ms L Mzilikazi Tel: 012 483 3116
Sexual Health Awareness Week: Ms Adamo Tel: 021 4832684 or Mr Burzelman 021 9181647
Pregnancy Education Fortnight: Ms E Arends Tel: 021 483 2680
Contraceptive Day: Mr. R Burzelman Tel: 021 918 1647
Enquiries:
Ms Marie Adamo, Deputy Director: Reproductive Health, Western Cape Provincial Department of Health
Tel: 021 483 2684,
Email: madamo@pgwc.gov.za