HIV/AIDS is the number one killer of new mothers in South Africa, the Department of Health said on Tuesday.

In a study of 3,406 deaths of pregnant women and new mothers between 2002 and 2004, the department found that AIDS was responsible for 20.1 percent of fatalities.

Other causes included pneumonia and tuberculosis, which are frequently associated with AIDS but listed separately, along with haemorrhage, malaria and other illnesses.

Reuters quoted health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang as saying high maternal mortality was "of great concern", but the government was confident it was on the right track for addressing the situation.

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]

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