Newborn falls to death at Mamelodi hospital
Nurses allegedly refused to assist a woman who was in labour.
Civil rights group #NotInMyName has expressed sadness over the death of a newborn baby at the Mamelodi hospital over the weekend.
It is alleged that the baby fell to his death when the mother, believed to be a Zimbabwean national, gave birth without any assistance from staff.
#NotInMyName Secretary-General, Themba Masango, said the child fell head first after nurses allegedly refused to assist the woman who was in labour.
“According to the patient, the nurses uttered xenophobic phrases such as ‘This is not Zimbabwe’,” he said.
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“The reinforcement of such behaviour can be traced to DENOSA’s (Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa) lack of enforcing disciplinary practices and the Department of Health’s failure to intervene through programmes intended
to improve both patient experience and staff morale.”
Masango said the organisation is disheartened by the incident and added that the hospital had become redundant.
“Whether the hospital is closed or open, the results are the same – people die.
“One could safely conclude that euthanasia is far more humane than nurses operating at Stanza Bopape CHC and Mamelodi Hospital.”
In July, a pregnant woman from Mamelodi East gave birth at the entrance of the Stanza Bopape clinic after she was allegedly turned away by two on-duty nurses.
MEC of Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana said the department was aware of the incident and that an investigation into the matter had been launched.
“MEC Masuku is aware of the matter and is deeply concerned by the reports that are coming out,” she said.
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“An investigation into the matter is underway and police will also assist with that.”
Kekana said the district obstetrician would be reviewing the case to establish the facts.
“The hospital has also reached out to the family for redress and will also provide psychological support to the family,” said Kekana.
Masango encouraged members of the community and
all “forward-thinking” citizens to use demonstrations to make their voices heard.
“We remain resolutely committed to peaceful conduct in protest action and elsewhere.”
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