Researcher Targets Early Pregnancy Deaths in Rural South Africa

Dr Maria Mmaphefo Maluleka, a registrar in Family Medicine and Primary Health Care at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, is conducting a comprehensive audit of three years of maternal cases to identify why early pregnancy deaths including ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage are now the fifth leading cause of maternal mortality nationally.

Ectopic pregnancy, when a pregnancy develops outside the womb, often presents with symptoms that are hard to distinguish from other conditions. In resource-limited settings, delayed access to ultrasound and laboratory testing means women are often sent home undiagnosed until their condition becomes life-threatening.

Dr Maluleka's research identifies systemic failures including delays in recognition at primary care level, staff shortages, documentation gaps, and inconsistent adherence to clinical guidelines. She proposes practical changes including better training for primary care nurses, improved emergency preparedness, standardised diagnostic pathways, and strengthened referral systems so women get to hospital in time.

The work, supported by the Discovery Foundation, originates from her home village near Ga-Rankuwa and focuses specifically on rural and underserved women.

What you need to know

• Severe abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness or fainting in early pregnancy are danger signs.
• These symptoms may indicate ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening emergency.
• Early diagnosis and timely treatment save lives.

What you can do

Trust your instincts. If you have pain, bleeding or dizziness in early pregnancy, return to the clinic or go to hospital immediately even if you were sent home previously. Say clearly: "I am pregnant and I am in pain. Please rule out ectopic pregnancy."

Sources

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1. Bizcommunity 23 July 2026