A rape centre in Somerset West not only offers a refuge of kind words and practical care for women who've been raped, it also adheres to a strict code for the collection of forensic evidence which results in the conviction of many of the rapists. Kerry Cullinan reports.
Few township residents have ever met a psychiatrist. But in two Khayelitsha clinics, three women are reaching out to mothers and babies in need of psychological support.
Forensic nurses are going to be trained throughout the country to ensure that rape victims get a better service from the state and that good medical evidence is collected to improve the conviction rate of rapists. This decision has been taken by the Department of Health, which is concerned about reports of rape survivors being treated badly by doctors.
Fewer than half the state hospitals and clinics chosen to provide termination of pregnancy procedures are offering the service to pregnant women. This is according to the South African Health Review 1999 released yesterday (wed feb.9) by the Health Systems Trust.
Almost half the maternal deaths in South Africa during 1998 were preventable. This is according to the Health Department's Confidential Enquiry into maternal deaths in South Africa. The report identifies numerous shortcomings in the health care system, many of which concern failures in the referral and transport systems between health institutions. The Department of Health has accepted the recommendations of the report and will start implementing them.
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