[Postpartum sterilization and the private practitioner].

A postpartum programme of sterilization was initiated by private practitioners at the Paarl Hospital in 1968. The unit was later taken over by the University of Stellenbosch and a total of 4704 procedures had been completed by the end of 1983. Most of the doctors trained in the method are now in private practice. The sterilization-to-delivery ratio of 1 in 5 indicates that +/- 200 000 postpartum sterilizations would be requested in South Africa, if the Paarl figures are projected to the rest of the country. The most effective method of mobilizing our medical manpower would be a fair fee per procedure. South Africa cannot afford the present continued burden of unwanted and unplanned births.