Gross contravention of regulations at Mamelodi hospital – civil rights organisation
This comes after a video circulated showed a number of women in one ward that has only four beds, sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
Civil rights organisation #NotInMyName says the rights of mothers who had just given birth at the Mamelodi day hospital were violated following a report on over-crowding at the hospital’s maternity ward.
This comes after a video circulated showed a number of women in one ward that has only four beds, sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
“The ward, infamously known as ‘Marikana’, has a total of four beds, however, over 30 women were seen in the ward with mattresses on the floor and no adherence to social distancing regulations as stipulated by the disaster management act adopted at the genesis of the lockdown,” said #NotInMyName spokesperson Mo Senne.
“In addition to frailty, the mothers live in constant angst of contracting Covid-19.”
The organisation said it was aware that the hospital had rectified “this gross contravention of ethics and regulations”.
“However, this was only after the MEC of Health Bandile Masuku, was recorded suggesting that patients are responsible for the horrendous conditions: ‘What is she there for? She’s supposed to go home and stop taking videos.’”
Senne said Masuku’s remarks were “despicable” and indicative of the lack of empathy toward the people the department serves.
“#NotInMyName rejects his apology. The MEC is aware of the violations of human rights constantly being dismissed at that hospital,” she said.
“South Africans’ rights cannot conditionally apply only at the convenience of those who have been placed in leadership positions.”
Gauteng health spokesperson Kwara Kekana said “comfortable arrangements” were made for the lodger mothers whose children are patients at the hospital.
“The issue was resolved as soon as it was brought to the attention of the CEO.
“Dr Soe, the new CEO, has been doing phenomenal work since he took leadership of the hospital,” she said.
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