Speech delivered by Dr. H.N. Manzini on behalf of MEC for Health and Welfare, Mr. Seaparo Sekoati on Birth defects campaign Thabazimbi

14 October 2004

Programme Director, I feel greatly honoured and privileged to be part of this very important day where the department is promoting Birth Defects Awareness campaign.

Perhaps most importantly is the fact that we have gathered here to share a great moment in the lifetime of a nation.

I want to thank the department of Health and Welfare together with Albinism Society of South Africa in organizing birth defects awareness campaign. On this day like this, our focus is also drawn to the giant strides our government has moved in the ten years of democracy.

We have endeavoured to grant greater access to health care facilities to our disadvantaged communities, particularly neglected rural areas.

With this campaign the department wants to reach as many people as possible and to educate the public about birth defects. We know in the past that people regarded birth defects or disability as “Taboo”. Today we want to inform our people that birth defects is no more longer a “Taboo” as it can be prevented or managed.

Birth defects include any abnormality of body structure or function present at birth, some of which may only be recognisable or diagnosable later in life.

Historically many of our people had been socialised to a culture of despising people with birth defects. The tendency has always been to be generally dismissive of them, to undermine the value of their existence in families, to disregard their physical, social and emotional needs.

In South Africa it is estimated that 1 in every 40 babies has one or another birth defect and 1 in 10 will develop an inherited disorder during their lifetime.

The causes of many birth defects are still unknown. Where the causes are known, birth defects can be classified into three broad categories, viz. Genetic, environmental and multi-factorial.

Reading deeply into the sometimes very miserable conditions, within which people with disabilities live, in abject poverty, government continues with the unwavering commitment to offer them disability grants.

However, we are also aware that there are certain family members who do not use such grants for the benefit of the intended beneficiaries. We appeal to members of the community to report such fraudulent activities to government officials and also to the police where government officials are involved.

At present birth defects cannot be cured but it can be prevented by taking the necessary medication during pregnancy. However, in some of these disorders much can be done to alleviate or prevent certain disabilities that could manifest themselves.

We therefore appeal to women who are expectant, to time to time, visit their clinics or hospitals for check-ups.

Information about the prevention and treatment of birth defects can be obtained by way of genetic counselling. Genetic counselling clinics are found in the major centres in South Africa e.g. certain large hospitals, universities with a Human Genetics department, and the provincial offices of the department of health.

This involves providing information about the nature and implications of a specific birth defect, giving psychosocial support, and referring the family to appropriate facilities. The aim of genetic counselling is to provide the information needed for rational decision-making.

It is imperative for all of us to have a proper understanding that we need not unduly discriminate against them, and that we should integrate them into our family and societal structures like anyone of us

Prevention of common conditions such as Down syndrome particularly in women over 35 years of age, Neural tube defects by means of peri-concept ional folic acid and fetal alcohol syndrome by discouraging the drinking of alcohol during pregnancy is emphasised in primary prevention.

Secondary prevention includes voluntary pre-natal diagnosis and selective termination of pregnancy for severe genetic disorder and birth defects.

While Tertiary prevention involves correction of a genetic disorder or birth defect in order to restore normal function.

Being conscious of the health challenges in our society, we have improved the supply of medicines to hospitals and delivery to clinics. We have agonised over shortage of doctors, particularly in specialised fields.

As a result our government entered into an agreement with the progressive government of the free people of Cuba. According to this agreement Doctors from Cuba offer their services at our health facilities and we have many of our students studying in Cuba.

Programme Director we believe that through this exchange programme with the Cuban Doctors and the intensive training of our health professionals we are hopeful that in the near future our province will be counted amongst the best in the world as regards the high quality of health services.

Today marks a milestone in the efforts the government makes in ensuring a better life for all, especially for women and children. Whilst it is true that we are succeeding in breaking the cycle of disempowerment, we are ever conscious of the enormous challenges still facing us.

These challenges call upon us to continue exploring new methods and tools that will enable us to find a matching fit between available resources and the needs of our communities thus realising the universal goal of “ a better life for all.

I THANK YOU

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