Union shocked by death of babies at Tembisa Hospital
The Gauteng DoH needs to prioritise addressing these issues
The recent death of 10 babies at the Tembisa Hospital has sent shock waves to the entire country, with different civic organisations and political parties condemning the incident.
Joining the many voices to this debacle is the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa, (Hospersa), which voiced its dismay over this incident.
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“The Hospersa is shocked to learn that 10 babies died at Tembisa Hospital during the festive season following an outbreak of a highly drug-resistant bacteria, Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). The Gauteng Department of Health (DoH) has highlighted overcrowding and poor hygiene measures in neonatal wards as the main causes of this outbreak. The provincial department has put measures in place to address these concerns; however, Hospersa is alarmed that these measures were taken without the union’s involvement.
“The union has called for an inclusive plan which involves health workers’ unions as key stakeholders in ensuring effective implementation and accountability,” said Hospersa Gauteng provincial secretary Bongi Khuzwayo.
“We are shocked by reports of this outbreak. An outbreak of this nature is normally caused by overcrowding and unhygienic conditions.
“The Gauteng DoH needs to prioritise addressing these issues, especially in neonatal wards at its public health facilities before more babies lose their lives,” added Khuzwayo.
The Hospersa is a trade union in the country, which boasts a membership of about 50 000 and represents employees in public service as well as in the private sector.
