Edenvale Hospital accused of refusing to remove dead foetus

STAFF at Edenvale Hospital allegedly refused to remove a dead foetus from a woman on Monday.

Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng shadow MEC for health, in a statement said Bez Valley Pastor Justin Morgan, said the woman had been at the hospital since 3.30am on Monday, when she was told her baby was dead.

“She was told to go home and wait for labour pains. At about 4.30pm the hospital allegedly admitted the woman to induce labour.

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“Past Morgan says hospital staff acted ‘unprofessionally’ and they had shown very little sympathy for the woman,” Bloom said.

“This incident is similar to what happened in July, last year, when a woman with a still-born child inside her was told by the Yusuf Dadoo Hospital on a Friday to come in on the Monday. The Gauteng Health Department should investigate this case urgently and set firm guidelines to hospitals that all women with still-born babies are treated properly.”

Dr Norman Kernes, chief executive officer for Edenvale Hospital, told Bedfordview/Edenvale NEWS on Wednesday the woman was currently receiving treatment from Dr Ramogale-Zungu, head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Edenvale Hospital.

She suffered an “intrauterine foetal death (IUFD), resulting in the foetus’ death,” Kernes said.

According to him the experience is traumatic for a patient and the process to remove the foetus is not quick. Labour has to be induced, a caesarean section has to be done on the patient, which can also be traumatic and leave scars both externally and internally.

Dr Kernes added that the hospital was trying to go the extra mile for the patient, giving her the support she needed.