Global study shows decrease in SA maternal deaths
According to a new global study, South Africa has reduced the number of maternal deaths and those of children under the age of five.
The study by the International Global Burden of Disease Study analysed the individual progress of 188 countries in terms of the health-related sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
South Africa has a score of 38 for maternal deaths which is regarded as an improvement.
However, the country is not showing improvement in the prevention new HIV and TB infections as overall the country is sitting on 46 from 100.
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Professor Alta Schutte from the North West University is one the researchers who were part of the study.
Schutte says there's still more that needs to be done.
"I do think that in terms of HIV and TB, our Department of Health is making great strides in improving the situation for example, making HIV/AIDS education immediately available to anyone tested positive. There are good signs of progress and I hope in the coming year, these will be much better," she said.