Pholosong Hospital labour ward shines at the Khanyisa Service Excellence Awards

This is to honour health professionals who have gone beyond the call of duty across all Gauteng hospitals and the district health facilities. Gauteng Health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa conferred awards on individuals who have demonstrated a patient-centred approach, innovation and the spirit of Batho Pele in their work.

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She also recognised health teams who have excelled in complying with the national core standards of healthcare, which measure the quality and standard of care offered at health facilities. Pholosong Hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department won an award for its efforts of reducing birth asphyxia cases.

The team of midwives and doctors started the birth asphyxia reduction programme in 2015 after realising the condition was one of the leading causes of admission of babies in the hospital’s neonatal ward. Birth asphyxia is a medical condition that results from the lack of oxygen to a newborn baby.

This results in the baby’s brain and other organs not getting enough oxygen before, during or right after birth. The amount of harm to the newborn depends on how long the period of asphyxia is, and how quickly the right treatment is given.

The common conditions associated with birth asphyxia include cerebral palsy, mental retardation and epilepsy.

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Acting obstetrics and gynaecology area manager Badelisile Mzizi attributed the department’s success to a multidisciplinary team which includes porters, cleaners, doctors, nurses and clerks who ensured that both mother and baby are assisted on time to avoid complications.

Acting CEO Dr Ashley Mthunzi expressed that “the impact of birth asphyxia on families and community cannot be ignored because children born with the condition do not lead normal, independent lives.”

He congratulated the team on their effort and commitment to impact positively in the community of Kwatsaduza.