Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Susan Goldstein, Associate Professor in the SAMRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science – PRICELESS SA (Priority Cost Effective Lessons in Systems Strengthening South Africa), University of the Witwatersrand
Published on 2024-02-25 04:44:55
During the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life, from conception to their second birthday, there is a critical opportunity to optimize their potential through healthy nutrition for the mother during pregnancy and for the child after birth. Undernutrition during this period can lead to stunting, which can have long-term health and social consequences, including obesity and related diseases. This not only affects the individual’s health and future but also costs governments billions in healthcare spending.
Studies have shown that pregnancy support grants or vouchers can improve women’s nutritional status and access to antenatal care. However, globally, the percentage of mothers receiving maternity benefits varies significantly, with lower rates in regions like Africa. In South Africa, pregnant women currently do not receive any benefits until after the child is born and has a birth certificate, with the child support grant being only R510 (approximately $27) a month.
With over a quarter of children under five in South Africa being stunted, improving pregnant women’s nutrition should be a priority for policymakers. This improvement could lead to healthier babies and future generations, ultimately contributing to ending childhood malnutrition, reducing poverty, and boosting economic growth.
Research has shown that extending the child support grant to cover pregnancy in South Africa could save the government significant healthcare costs, reduce neonatal complications, and lead to overall savings over the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. Given that a large proportion of pregnancies occur in impoverished households in South Africa, providing a pregnancy support grant could have a substantial impact on maternal and child health.
A pilot study in the Western Cape province showed that providing pregnant women with food vouchers led to healthier food choices and positive psychological effects. A proposal for a pregnancy support grant in South Africa could target the most vulnerable individuals and potentially have similar positive outcomes as seen in other countries that have implemented similar programs.
Overall, extending the child support grant to cover pregnancy has the potential to improve the lives of families, communities, and individual children while also saving the government significant costs. The broader societal impacts, including increased hope, motivation, learning, and employment opportunities for women, could have far-reaching benefits for the economy.
