Diepsloot’s young mothers celebrate baby care

The 1000 Days programme was launched as a response to a 2012 report by the United Nations on South Africa’s progress towards achieving their Millennium Development Goals.

South Africa’s statistics showed that between 2007 and 2010, instead of there being an improvement in the health of mothers and babies, the mortality rate worsened.

Research shows that babies are most vulnerable from conception to two years of age – or rather their first 1000 days. The programme employs nurses as additional resources in local clinics. The nurses mentor and guide the community health workers in the area to engage with, and identify, expectant mothers who are vulnerable either due to strained socio-economic conditions or ill health.

The programme was first launched in Tshwane, and Diepsloot is the second site to receive the support of the 1000 Days programme. The programme includes health screenings and HIV testing for expectant mothers, growth and development monitoring for babies, advice on nutrition, and opportunities for skills development as well as employment opportunities. One of the most important aspects of the programme is the Nurofen Care Bags.

The bags are handmade by a sewing group of previously unemployed women from Tshwane as part of the enterprise development aspect of the programme.

The bags are filled with essential items for a baby’s birth such as clothing, surgical spirits, nappies and wipes, and are given to mothers towards the end of their final trimester. Collection boxes have been placed outside Baby City stores around Johannesburg and the public is encouraged to donate second-hand items or items purchased from the stores which are then used to fill the care bags.

The launch was a joyful event with a keynote address by MMC for Health and Social development, Councillor Nonceba Molwele, as well as words of support and encouragement to the mothers of Diepsloot from local councillors and representatives from Nurofen.