Another woman gives birth inside a car in Burgersfort
The incident prompted Limpopo health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, to give advice to pregnant women.
BURGERSFORT – A local woman has given birth inside a vehicle outside Burgersfort Clinic on Wednesday. The incident comes less than a fortnight after a young woman gave birth at the clinic’s gates on October 11.
The incident prompted Limpopo health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, to give advice to pregnant women. She pleaded with pregnant women to seek help in time when they are due to deliver babies.
She said the woman was in her second pregnancy and delivered the child in a car outside the Burgersfort Clinic on October 26.
“According to the preliminary report, the woman arrived at the clinic at around 06:20 in the morning. The security personnel opened the gate for her and called on nursing staff to assist. This is despite the clinic opening at 07:00. When the nurse arrived, the woman had already delivered,” revealed Ramathuba.
She added, “According to figures, last year at least 5 193 women delivered children before they could reach a health facility in the province.
“This figure is indicative of the challenge that we have in terms of women who rather wait until they are progressed before they seek help.”
She said, “Women must not wait until they are highly progressed before they could come to the facility, this puts at risk the lives of both the mother and the child.”
Meanwhile Burgersfort residents have continued to urge the MEC to ensure the Burgersfort Clinic operates 24 hours .
“How can a clinic in a busy area such as Burgersfort town operate only during day hours,” asked a concerned resident, Phillip Maleka.
Departmental spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana, said the Burgersfort Clinic was no longer a 24-hour clinic, and only operated during the day.
“The clinic stopped operating for 24 hours a day two years ago because of threats to nurses who worked night shifts,” Shikwambana said.
“While the department is working with the community and the police to solve issues such as crime, the community are advised to utilise nearby clinics for night emergencies.”
