The future of mother and child health care in South Africa

Recent reports by Statistics South Africa show there is an urgent need to invest in early development of our children. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from conception until two years of age, plays a pivotal role in development and lays the foundation of their future health. During this critical period, the child’s developing brain can form a 1000 neural connections every second. To ensure each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential, both mother and child needs to have access to adequate nutrition, a safe environment and comprehensive health care. Missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity impacts not only on South Africa’s future health status but also has economic implications.

The provision of health facilities and support for mothers and children will be the core focus of the MACAHF. A panel discussion is set to take place at The Empire Conference and Events venue in Johannesburg on the 18th of April. The panel will aim to discuss the future of health within the South African context. The panel, which will be led by news anchor, Joanne Josephs, will focus on maternal health challenges, antenatal and child health and how South Africans can contribute to the improvement and development of this area within the country’s health sector.

The Mother and Child Academic Hospital Foundation (MACAHF) was founded by Professors Gert van Zyl, Andre Venter and Dr Riana van Zyl with a vision to provide excellent healthcare to these vulnerable citizens and to build a specialised mother and child academic health care facility in the Free State. It is the aim that this hospital will provide state of the art antenatal care and health services for mothers and medical care for infants and children from all walks of life.

“This is a great opportunity to change the status quo of medical and healthcare services for mothers, infants and children. We can all contribute to changing the health narrative of South African mothers and children by providing the best care possible,” says Professor Venter, who is also HOD of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of the Free State. “A brighter future starts in the womb and continues through early development,” he concluded.

The MACAH Foundation is collaborating with a number of associations, corporates, government departments as well as the University of the Free State in an effort to make this project a success. One of these projects is the “Make the First 1000 Days Count” Initiative, worth R20 million, which is still in the initial stages.

The founders are calling on corporates, businesses, and individuals to support the MACAH Foundation and its projects through their influence, loyalty and financial means.

To find out more about the foundation and pledge your support, visit www.macahfoundation.org.za or send an email to Tertia [email protected] or [email protected]