November / December 2004 Articles in this issue are: THE OFF-LABEL USE OF MISOPROSTOL The provision in the new Act for facilities to qualify ‘automatically’ is bound to increase pressure on all hospital staff, particularly those who have conscientious objections to carrying out abortions. Currently, Doctors for Life International (DFL) is representing a nurse from Vereeniging , Gauteng Province, who was barred from working in theater after she objected to participating in an abortion. Another expected consequence of the amended Act will be the continued off-label use of Misoprostol as an abortifacient, a practice widely advocated by the health department. Because almost all abortions are now induced by means of this drug, the increased access to abortion will ultimately result in an increased use of Misoprostol. This is despite the fact that Misoprostol is not registered as an abortifacient in South Africa . The drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer, has expressed no interest in registering Misoprostol for this purpose and on the contrary provides warnings of serious adverse effects of the drug in pregnant women. The adverse effects reported for Misoprostol include severe haemorrhaging and uterine rupture leading to maternal death. Pfizer’s database documents several cases of women who have died following the use of Misoprostol. Maternal deaths caused by the use of Misoprostol for abortions have also been widely reported in South Africa . The South African press reported that 500 deaths occur annually due to the misuse of Misoprostol (Pretoria News, 5 March 2004 ). This is in addition to admissions by the health department of the Free State Province that deaths occur as a result of the misuse of the tablets. The current use of Misoprostol in South Africa allows for the patient to be sent home with the drug despite the high risk of severe haemorrhaging. The patient is expected to contact a health centre if any complications occur. Health care workers may find themselves in a position where they have to help complete an abortion in process regardless of whether they are willing to participate in the procedure. DFL made inquiries to the Medicines Control Council (MCC) via the Public Protector on its position regarding the use of Misoprostol for abortions. The MCC confirmed that it has neither approved nor registered Misoprostol for use as an abortifacient. This leaves the question as to who will be held liable for the complications and deaths that are sure to continue to arise from the use of Misoprostol. If a health care worker prescribes medicines for a procedure other than that for which it is indicated, he or she may be potentially liable for any resulting adverse consequences. Dr Bola Omoniyi
Pharmaceutical Department
The latest DFL video production is a film that dares to expose what other programs have concealed. The media screams for teenagers’ attention, bombarding their minds with messages of free sex and the myth of fun without consequence. The teen years are not simply a part of life, but the fragile transition of developing from a child into an adult. What one decides during this phase of life can, to a large extent, determine what one will become. However, millions of young people have had their lives cut short or thrown into turmoil after making wrong decisions during this delicate phase. Premarital sex is no longer discouraged, but expected in modern society. Teenagers are not taught how to say no, instead, they are trained how to ‘make it safer’. Morality is no longer a consideration within most education programs. Sex is approached as a ‘biological act’. Children are not warned about the shattering emotional consequences. Life-and-death decisions are left up to ill-prepared and uninformed teenagers. It’s not surprising that we see a confused generation of sexually active teenagers facing an epidemic of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). In Your Face, a DFL video production, reveals the truth about sex and uncovers the horrifying facts about AIDS and STIs. Using graphic illustrations, animations and music, this unreserved film will disturb the viewer to a point of decision. Shot on location in three South African schools, featuring Dr Albu van Eeden and Dr Eva Seobi, it challenges the self-destructive lifestyle chosen by the ill-informed. The direct and frank message leaves no room for compromise. In the space of half an hour, this film has the courage to show what no one else has, delivering a powerful, life-changing message. Short, but definitely not sweet, In Your Face could mean a turning point in the lives of thousands of young people. Albertus Bodenstein
Orison Pictures
Families headed by a child, multiple deaths in one family, long lists of orphans, family disintegration, pain, escalating poverty, countless funerals everywhere, increasing coffin sales, weeping widows and grand-parents, despondency, depression... This is the situation in the Harding community where DFL launched its Home Based Care (HBC) pilot project two years ago. During this period more than 200 community volunteers have been trained by DFL trainers as home based care givers. Assisted by international volunteers and occasionally by DFL members, these care givers unselfishly assist family members to care for their dying relatives.
Dr Willem Vlok, a DFL member who regularly spends weekends at the Deemount DFL Base Camp to assist these care givers, finds the civil turmoil that is quietly churning in the area disturbing. Families are disintegrating and young people are dying in practically every home. But despite the tragedy that is unfolding, there is much to be thankful for: the countless reports of patients dying with dignity and community members reporting the peaceful way in which the patients died. Relatives often relate the dreams and visions of God and Heaven the patients have had before passing away. The sacrificial commitment of volunteers, the enthusiastic support from community and business leaders and the active involvement of DFL members bring much hope amidst a great crisis The Deemount pilot project has been a resounding success and during 2005 similar projects will be initiated in the areas where DFL also runs day care centres as part of Project LifeChild. Maphindi Sibiya
Home Based Care To our knowledge, 14 babies have been saved since May 2004 because of Doctors For Life's 11th Hour Abortion Counselling project. The shared joy and gratitude is summed up in a recent SMS from one young woman: Thanx 4 being there 4 me when I was going through a difficult time. I'm happy that I kept this baby boy & I'm looking forward 2 holding, raising and loving him. DFL started 11th Hour Abortion Counselling in 2001 to meet the growing need to counsel those facing an unplanned pregnancy; assisting them to make informed decisions. The service also includes post-abortion counselling. This year's four 11th Hour Courses went well. Dr Tseliso Nkuebe (see member profile) and Pastor Victor Dlamini co-ordinated educational talks at local schools in Bethlehem , and courses in the evenings. At the end of that week, 13 congregation members had completed the course while 8 schools and a church in Brits had heard DFL's popular talk, All About Abortion. This talk deals with the central question in the abortion debate: When does life begin? It includes a factual scientific presentation with a slide show. A fifth course is being scheduled before the end of 2004. Ronell Carstens At the end of 2004, we look back at some of the highlights in Project LifeChild. Through this project, we are able to support orphans who receive food, education, medical care and clothing. Our desire is to see each develop a personal relationship with Christ.
his year, three properties were given to DFL by traditional chiefs to build day-care centres. One is in Schoemansdal, near Malelane, where the building is close to completion. The other two are near Wasbank in KwaZulu-Natal . These centres will be used to provide shelter for the orphans as well as basic pre-school education. In August 2004, a team of doctors, nurses and a dentist from the USA , came to SA for two weeks to provide free dental and medical care to the orphans and their communities. In the past year, about 30 volunteers from South Africa , Canada , the USA and the EU worked at the orphan centres. During October 2004, we started making our monthly food deliveries to some of our centres using the new DFL truck. We are now able to deliver to 4 of our centres in one day instead of 4 separate trips with a pick-up. Businessmen from various companies are increasingly getting involved in helping us care for these children. We thank God for His provision and we give Him the glory for all the great things that took place in Project LifeChild during 2004. Charity Mpungose
Project LifeChild Aid to Africa combines medical outreaches with the spreading of God’s Word. By God’s grace, this initiative has been growing steadily and the end of 2004 will mark the 4th month of the first permanent DFL clinic in Mozambique (Zavora). Here, doctors and nurses who volunteer their time, sleep in tents while malaria-carrying mosquitoes fill the air! However, approximately 4 km away, a picturesque scene of unspoiled beaches, palm trees and reefs makes medical work in the hot tropical weather more bearable. The perfect missionary dream?
Within a record time, DFL was officially registered as a non-profit organisation in Mozambique and ready to operate legally. The clinic is presently run from tents using plastic chairs and tables. The huge need for medical care is accompanied by a lack of basic hygiene, life skills and moral values. A team of 20 medical students from the Nelson Mandela Medical School and two long-time DFL members, have offered to work at the Zavora project during December 2004. DFL would like to thank all of those who make this work possible: international organisations for donating medicines, individuals who have invested valuable time, funds and prayer into these efforts and volunteers who came to assist the needy in Southern Africa . Plans for 2005 include an outreach to Angola ’s most rural areas, continuing the clinical and construction work in Mozambique with more outreaches to SA's rural communities and Life Child centres. Johan Claassen
Aid to Africa Dr Albu van Eeden and the Coordinator of DFL’s Workplace HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse Program, Heinrich Botes recently returned from a fact-finding visit to Kazakhstan . The purpose of the ten- day trip was to obtain a first hand impression of the HIV/AIDS situation in the country and to meet with key stakeholders. The invitation to implement DFL’s Workplace Program, came after employee assistance program (EAP) professionals working in Kazakhstan noticed the positive results of DFL’s value-based approach in several SA industries. Statistical significant results were recorded in Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Studies done by neutral academic research institutions after interventions at South African mines and recently at an energy supply company. Reports from several sources sounded an alarm that Kazakhstan may now have the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world. The country’s HIV statistics indicate that it is probably where South Africa was 15 years ago. The workers in this mineral-rich, developing country are especially at risk of HIV-infection. The DFL team visited top government and industry officials in Almaty, Karaganda (epicentre of the disease), Temirtau and the capital, Astana. They spoke at a medical campus, an orphanage and two AIDS centres. The response rom all stakeholders was extremely positive and the ground work will now be followed by visits in the Asian spring to specific factories.
A study of the unique blend of Russian and Kazakhstan cultures will ensure that training and marketing materials are culturally sensitive and relevant to the region.
Heinrich Botes
Workplace HIV/AIDS & Substance Abuse Program
The legal team of DFL is comprised of a number of professional lawyers and advocates who appear in court on behalf of DFL. They are supported by law students who act as research assistants. The history of victories in the Constitutional and High Courts of SA motivates the team to continue the ‘good fight’ on a number of issues. DFL is currently assisting a girl with a claim in the High Court, whose baby was born alive (but subsequently died) after an unsuccessful, illegal abortion performed at an abortion clinic. DFL also instituted action on behalf of a theater nurse who was dismissed on grounds of her conscientious objection to the abortion procedure. Oral submissions were made to Parliament on the Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill and the Traditional Health Practitioners Bill. The legal department is involved in the registration of orphans in DFL’s care. They also manage the registration of land donated to DFL by traditional leaders. In addition, the legal department is also responsible for everyday organisational legal matters and providing assistance to DFL members. Martus de Wet & Shadrack Mafutsa
Legal Department Dr Tseliso Nkuebe is currently working as a community service officer at Dihlabeng Regional Hospital in Bethlehem , Free State Province. From January 2005 he will be working at McCords Hospital in Durban . He grew up in Lesotho , but studied in Durban where he qualified with MBChB in 2002 at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine. Tseliso recently (October 9, 2004) married Sophie Moloantoa in Kroonstad. Dr Nkuebe says he enjoys the clinical aspect of medicine but only when it is applied in the context of a Biblical world-view. ‘This is really what gives my work substance and it also gives me great satisfaction when my patients get well’. He is particularly interested in the application of intelligent design in medicine. ‘I have an interest in intelligent design as part of undergraduate medical teaching and also in Orthopedics. Furthermore, I also have special interest in medical outreaches’. Tseliso joined DFL in 2001 while he was at Medical School . ‘What made me join is mostly the idea of medicine as a tool for outreach for the Kingdom of God ’. Dr Nkuebe is very upbeat about the role, place and future of DFL. ‘The organisation is critical in promoting a pro-life approach not only to medical work but also in the country’s legislation regarding life issues. Ethical dilemmas will increase (given the HIV/AIDS issue) and so will the need for DFL. ‘I would like to see DFL having more input in the teaching of undergraduates, medical students and more campaigning on University Campuses for pro-life issues’. He feels that DFL members should be involved not only with medical students but also students from other professions. He encourages the establishment of DFL offices in major cities where public opinion is formed. To medical students Tseliso has the following advice: ‘Work hard, and keep your goal in mind’. Dr Tseliso Nkuebe CONDOMS Cumulative effectiveness refers to the likelihood of becoming infected with an STD over time. And to what extent are condoms effective at reducing this cumulative risk, that is, providing cumulative effectiveness? After ten acts of sex one would expect 14 percent of the women to become infected and after 30 acts of sex with an infected partner, the expected risk would escalate to 37 percent even with perfect condom use. The researchers did not address the scenario of incorrect or inconsistent use but these additional factors would dramatically increase one’s risk of infection. Http://www.medinstitute.org/cumeff.htm EMBRYO ADOPTION A USA federal grant will promote embryo adoption and give infertile couples a chance to experience pregnancy and birth. Couples who have used reproductive technology to have children and find themselves not knowing what to do with their embryos which will not be implanted and brought to birth, can now give them up for adoption. Currently in the USA , these ‘leftover’ embryos that result from in-vitro fertilization are routinely destroyed. USA National Embryo Donation Center http://www.embryodonation.org SUBSTANCE ABUSE Abstinence or harm reduction? A new report challenges present drug strategies. Findings show that the majority of drug addicts contacting drug treatment services in Scotland are seeking abstinence rather than to receive advice on harm reduction from treatment services. The research by Professor Neil McKeganey at the Centre for Drug Misuse at the University of Glasgow , was published in the October-issue of the leading journal 'Drugs Education Prevention and Policy'. ABORTION SURVEY IN SA Research Surveys said that 24 percent of urban-dwelling South Africans are in favour of abortion on demand. Respondents were asked if nurses should be allowed to perform abortions. Fourteen percent of the respondents felt that nurses should be allowed to perform abortions. ‘Even more controversial is that, even among those in favour of abortion on demand, only a third are in favour of nurses being allowed to perform them without a doctor's assistance. This drops to 21 percent amongst females, the people most affected’. Sapa BEING AT THE RIGHT TIME AT THE RIGHT PLACE 2 Kings 22:14 These days I have been richly blessed by the quiet faithfulness of Hulda the prophetess. She appears to have been a contemporary of both Jeremiah and Zephaniah. She did not, however, sit back, expecting Jeremiah to deal with these issues and handle the questions of the king. We do not know why this time king Josiah chose to go to her and not to Jeremiah or Zephaniah. But one thing is sure, the king’s men found her ready and prepared, with her lamp trimmed and burning and at the place where she could lead them straight to the heart of God. Hulda was a married woman, but that did not interfere with her calling as a prophetess. She was there and she was ready when the Lord wanted to use her. Quietly she had remained razor sharp and at the cutting edge of where God was moving the nation. Sometimes we are tempted to think that we must always be busy in order to be used by God. But here we find Hulda, like a utensil in a housewife’s kitchen: ready, clean and at the right place for her Master to find when He wanted to use her. May you and I be found ready and prepared whenever God needs us. Dr Albu van Eeden
Chief Executive Officer |
