Woman gives birth outside Mams clinic after being chased away
It is alleged the nurses turned Elina Maseko (47) away from Stanza Bopape clinic because she was “too old” to be pregnant and therefore a “high risk”.
A pregnant woman from Mamelodi east gave birth at the entrance of a clinic on Sunday night, after she was allegedly turned away by two on-duty nurses.
It is alleged the nurses turned Elina Maseko (47) away from Stanza Bopape clinic because she was “too old” to be pregnant and therefore a “high risk”.
Reportedly, they told the heavily pregnant Maseko that she must go to Mamelodi regional hospital instead.
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Maseko was accompanied by her niece Sibongile Morudu at the time.
Morudu said Maseko’s water broke as they were leaving the clinic and she had to help her give birth at the entrance of the clinic.
Maseko, who is from Extension 18 in the far east of Mamelodi, was on her way to Mamelodi Hospital when their car ran out of petrol not far from the clinic.
“I asked my neighbour to take me to hospital in their car,” said Maseko, a mother of five.
“When the car ran out of petrol we had to wait for his friend. By the time he arrived, the pain had intensified and we had no choice but to go to the nearest clinic.
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Tshwane health district chief director Mothomone Pitsi said he was saddened by “this unfortunate incident”.
“It is unacceptable the patient was not examined and let go in her condition,” said Pitsi.
“Even in circumstances where patients are identified as high risk and require care at higher-level facilities, they are not just sent away.
“It should be noted that before this incident, the patient received appropriate antenatal care at Stanza Bopape 2 clinic and was advised where to deliver.”
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He said a team comprising of quality assurance and labour relations officials was investigating.
“The team is expected to report back possibly within a month.”
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) chairperson Bobby Mohanoe said they were disappointed by the nurses’ conduct.
“The nurses who are responsible should be removed from the health sector,” he said.
#Notinmyname secretary general Themba Masango said the nurses who were on-duty need to be suspended until the investigation is done.
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“If found guilty, they must be fired,” he said.
He said the health care facility in Mamelodi should “be beefed up”.
TAC and #Notinmyname accompanied the family as they opened a case at their nearest police station.
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