THURSDAY, 5.30PM
A TOTAL of 164 new clinics were built between January and September 1997, compared with 44 in the same period last year, the Department on Health said on Thursday.
Director Dr Yogan Pillay told a national health consultative forum in Pretoria that another 39 clinics were upgraded, compared to 31 last year. He said 51 mobile clinics have so far been delivered this year.
Other objectives realised by the department in the social sector, he said, include abortion services in all provinces. More than 3 000 abortions were performed in May and June.
On birth control, Pillay said the department is trying to promote the use of condoms in high schools to reduce an 8% birth rate among teenagers younger than 16.