National Children's Day, 5 November 2011

Protect our children for a better tomorrow

"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul, than the way in which it treats its children."
- Nelson Mandela

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to provide you with some tips on how you can take better care of the health and welfare of your children this National Children's Day, 5 November 2011.

A threat to the future
Many do not realise that ensuring the safety of children is one of the most significant challenges facing South Africa today. Almost 50% of the country's population is made up of children, one in three of whom is under 15 years of age. These young people have rights, which should be upheld by society but are instead often ignored.

According to recent statistics from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 58 000 children under the age of five died in South Africa last year. This number is almost the same as what it was in 1990 despite a significant drop in international rates of child mortality since the establishment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). One of these goals is to reduce child mortality rates by approximately 66.6% by 2015.

Other issues affecting children in South Africa include lack of sufficient nutrition; lack of proper education; orphaning due to HIV/AIDS; physical, sexual and emotional abuse as well as child labour. Some people believe that child labour only takes place in other countries, however figures indicate that 200 000 children between the ages of 10 and 15 are employed as child labourers in our country.

These numbers are worrying when one considers that children are the future of our country. They rely on adults to keep them safe, healthy and happy. Yet all too often adults abuse the trust that children place in them and, in many cases, forget that children are vulnerable members of society who require protection from harm.

Being aware of child safety
Iris Dhlamini* is a GEMS member and mother of two who almost lost her youngest child when she left him unattended in the kitchen. "I was soaking one of my husband's shirts in a tub of water on the floor when the phone rang and I left the room to answer it. I was gone for no more than two minutes and when I came back into the kitchen Vusi, my 18-month-old baby, had fallen into the tub and wasn't moving."

"I grabbed him from the tub and it seemed as though he wasn't breathing so I immediately called 0800 44 4367 for an ambulance," recalls Iris. "When the paramedics arrived they were able to resuscitate him before taking him to the hospital to make sure that everything was alright. We were able to bring him home that night and I was so grateful that we had been spared a real tragedy."

Taking action with preventative measures
In order to protect your children you need to educate yourself regarding child health and safety and then to take action on what you have learned. Understanding what is needed is the foundation to providing a safe and nurturing environment in which your children can thrive.

Keep a close watch

Children, especially very young ones, have not yet been able to establish what is dangerous to them and what is not. They are also very curious and are quick to wonder off to explore their environment. It is therefore vital that they are always closely supervised by a responsible adult.

Accidents do not have to happen

Motor vehicle accidents, drowning, burns and poisons are among some of the accidents that can injure or kill children. Accidents such as these can be prevented by putting seatbelts on children when travelling in a motor vehicle or supervising them at all times when near water, for example.

Be prepared

If accidents do happen, parents or caretakers should be prepared to intervene. All parents and caretakers should therefore learn first aid or at least child CPR, sometimes called ‘mouth-to-mouth'. CPR supplies oxygen to a person's brain when they have stopped breathing and can be a lifesaver in an emergency.

Make your home a safe place to live

One of the most dangerous places can be the home and parents should make sure that it is as safe as possible for children. Put all hazardous chemicals, cleaners and medicines out of the reach of children. Do the same with sharp objects, such as knives and scissors.

Many homes have not been properly wired by an electrician and have dangerous electrical cabling lying around. Fires can be started and children can easily be electrocuted by poor electrical wiring.

Parents should be particularly aware of water as there are many child drownings or near drownings every year. Children can drown in just a few centimetres of water, therefore it is prudent to keep them away from buckets of water, toilets or fishponds.

Message for a safer tomorrow
"I overlooked something that could have cost my child's life and can only imagine what it must be like for those whose children have been seriously injured or killed in accidents that could have been prevented. I urge every South African to be conscious of the protection that our children need and deserve. Let's protect these young people who bring us so much joy and who are the future of our country," concludes Iris.

If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to obtain more information about any of your healthcare needs, you can contact the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send an SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and well-being.

*The member's name has been changed in order to protect her identity.

Sources:
1. The United Nations Children's Fund, www.unicef.org
2. South African Government Information, www.info.gov.za
3. The Children's Rights Centre of South Africa, www.crc-sa.co.za
4. Arrive Alive, www.arrivealive.co.za
5. Swim Alive, www.swimalive.co.za