SA province that recorded the highest number of births among mothers under 17
Which SA province that recorded the highest number of births among mothers under 17? Photo: Joseph Maramba

Home » Baby deaths decrease for 2023 in South Africa, Tembisa a concern

Baby deaths decrease for 2023 in South Africa, Tembisa a concern

South Africa has recorded a lower data of baby deaths in 2023 as compared to the previous year. However, Tembisa hospital is still a concern. Baby deaths rate has decreased by an impressive 3.02% from 2022, however, some hospitals are still a concern as they are recording a high number of deaths. ALSO READ: Principal and teacher […]

By Cwenga Maqhubela
07-06-23 18:37
in Featured
SA province that recorded the highest number of births among mothers under 17
Which SA province that recorded the highest number of births among mothers under 17? Photo: Joseph Maramba

South Africa has recorded a lower data of baby deaths in 2023 as compared to the previous year. However, Tembisa hospital is still a concern.

Baby deaths rate has decreased by an impressive 3.02% from 2022, however, some hospitals are still a concern as they are recording a high number of deaths.

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BABY DEATHS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The baby death rate for South Africa in 2022 was 24.306 deaths per 1000 live births, a 2.93% decline from 2021.

Many of these baby deaths were recorded in provinces with rural areas, the report shows that this might be caused by the shortage of staff or lack of necessary skills to assist in such cases.

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Here are stats of previous years comparing baby death rate in South Africa:

  • The current infant mortality rate for South Africa in 2023 is 23.573 deaths per 1000 live births, a 3.02% decline from 2022.
  • The infant mortality rate for South Africa in 2022 was 24.306 deaths per 1000 live births, a 2.93% decline from 2021.
  • The baby death rate for South Africa in 2021 was 25.039 deaths per 1000 live births, a 2.84% decline from 2020.
  • The infant mortality rate for South Africa in 2020 was 25.772 deaths per 1000 live births, a 2.77% decline from 2019.

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INCREASING NUMBERS AT TEMBISA HOSPITAL

Despite a lower number of deliveries, baby deaths have increased in the last three years at the Tembisa Hospital, with 280 deaths in 2022, up from 271 deaths in 2021, and 237 deaths in 2020.

A total of 50 661 babies were born at the hospital in this period (17 122 in 2020, 17 054 in 2021, and 16 485 in 2022).

Baby deaths
Tembisa hospital is a huge concern in Gauteng as it records the highest number of baby deaths. Image: Pixabay.

This was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom’s questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

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Tags: Babies Infant mortality MMifunsa Tembisa