Forty babies abandoned in Krugersdorp
Unplanned pregnancies and poverty appear to be the main reasons for mothers leaving their babies in hospitals after birth.
In the last three years 360 babies have been abandoned in Gauteng state hospitals, 40 babies in the Krugersdorp area alone.
These shocking figures were revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo in a written reply to DA Gauteng Health Spokesperson Jack Bloom’s questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
According to Papo 136 babies were abandoned in 2011, 135 in 2012, and 89 up to August this year.
Carletonville is the worst affected hospital with 55 abandoned babies during this period. Three hospitals on the East Rand also have high numbers.
Other badly affected hospitals include the following:
• Charlotte Maxeke – 24
• Leratong – 24
• Mamelodi – 19
• Chris Hani Baragwanath – 17
• Dr Yusuf Dadoo – 16
• Steve Biko – 14
“Most of the babies are placed with Child Welfare within a few weeks, but some babies stay in the hospital as long as four months if Child Welfare has no available beds. Unplanned pregnancies and poverty appear to be the main reasons for mothers leaving their babies in hospitals after birth,” says Bloom.
“It’s a great tragedy that so many babies are abandoned. More education is needed so that distressed mothers are aware of options like voluntary foster care or adoption.”
