Baby allegedly beaten at Mamelodi Regional Hospital

The grandmother of baby Cilarne Harris, who was admitted to Mamelodi Regional Hospital in Pretoria with a lung infection, is demanding justice after his mother found that his feet were red and swollen and his head was injured.

According to Harris’ grandmother, Ronel Barkley, the 21-month-old was admitted to Mamelodi Regional Hospital on September 4.

“Upon visiting the hospital last Friday, Harris’ mother discovered that the baby’s feet were red and swollen, and he had an injury on his head.”

Barkley says it appears that the child may have been beaten.

“I was so angry I asked them who was responsible because I was going to give that person a beating,” Barkley told Rea Thusa/We Help.

“Only an evil person would hit a baby, and that person should be banned from working with children.”

After raising her concerns, Barkley was informed that Harris was being discharged.

She says they are saddened that a child taken to hospital in ‘good condition’ was in a ‘bad state’ the next day. She intends to seek legal assistance to ensure justice for her grandson.

“Something happened to him in the cot in the hospital; he screams when we now try to put him in a cot. This is not normal for him. He did not do this before going to the hospital. His sleeping is affected; he is getting nightmares.”

The family and Rea Thusa/We Help are calling for an investigation into the incident, and have urged the National Department of Health and Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) to address the matter urgently.

“There are continuous complaints against this specific hospital, and it would seem that [they] go unattended. Is healthcare not enshrined in our Constitution and is every citizen not entitled to proper healthcare?

“Is the alleged beating of babies now proper healthcare? Rea Thusa/We Help wants answers, and so does this baby’s family,” says the CEO of Rea Thusa/We Help, Virginia Keppler Young.

The acting head of communications at the GDoH, Khutso Rabothata, confirmed that Harris was admitted to the hospital.

“During his stay, no additional injuries beyond those recorded upon admission were observed or documented. Our records indicate no evidence of further injuries during the admission period. Thus, no investigation has been conducted.

“We want to reassure you that the hospital adheres to strict protocols for managing all paediatric cases, including the prompt investigation and reporting of any injuries. The child was discharged only after being deemed clinically stable. We remain committed to prioritising the well-being of all our patients.”

Despite the GDoH’s assurance that the hospital is committed to high standards of care and takes all abuse allegations seriously, the family’s concerns remain unresolved as it has decided not to investigate Harris’ case. This is despite photographs indicating injuries and evidence that suggests possible mistreatment.