SHARPEVILLE.- A pregnant 17-year-old first-time mom had only hoped for professional services in delivering her baby cautiously.

Little did she know that her greatly expected moment of being a mother, will turn into a horrific experience. Reabetswe Khubheka was allegedly left stranded by health practitioners to deliver her baby on her own at the Sharpeville Clinic. As if this was not bad enough, the traumatized mother is said to have had to watch her newborn baby bumping on the clinic floors, while nurses enjoyed their tea break.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Zodwa Khubheka, the mother of Reabetswe told of the story of how her daughter almost lost her baby. The furious first-time grandmother said the little baby turned blue after the birth due to lack of oxygen.

“My daughter was struggling with pains from Monday evening until Tuesday morning. At around past five, I took her to the clinic and they admitted her. She called me and told me she was done giving birth and, in the background, I heard the sister [nurse] yelling at her asking who said she must call people, and that she must hang up the phone,” she said.

Zodwa said she asked a friend to go check on Reabetswe, who told her that Reabetswe had not given birth.

“I told my friend about what I heard [the yelling], I then decided to go to the clinic. A nurse asked to speak to me outside. When we got outside, she told me that Reabetswe gave birth where she was sitting. I asked her where? She didn’t tell me, she just pointed with her head,” she said.

Zodwa said the sister said the child turned blue after birth.

“I thought it was a minor thing. I asked to see the baby, I was told I am not allowed to, only the father of the child could see her. I left and went home, when I came back, I found Reabetswe inside the ambulance going to Sebokeng Hospital.”

“I followed Reabetswe to Sebokeng Hospital, when I got there, I interrogated her and she told me she gave birth on the floor. She said she tried to ask for help and the nurses told her they were on their tea time, and when she was about to go sit on the benches, she fell and gave birth right on the spot,” she said.

“I don’t understand how does this happen while nurses are there. How does a first-timer help herself to give birth while nurses enjoy their tea?”

Zodwa said she confronted the managing nurse who told her that all the answers she wants will be answered at Sebokeng Hospital.

“The nurse didn’t bother to sit down with me and properly explain what had happened. I wanted to know how does my child had to go to another facility and I was not even informed. She said to me that the hospital will call me and explain everything. She only said the baby lacked oxygen. What happened speaks to negligence. A newborn baby needs all the care after birth. We don’t know how much longer they took until they finished their tea. What happened was just inhuman,” said the weeping grandmother.

Health Spokesman, Motalatale Modiba said that a complaint has been brought to the Department’s attention.

“The Sedibeng District Health Services and our Quality Assurance Office are investigating the matter. The reported treatment of the patient is totally against our standard operating procedures and Batho Pele principles. We remain committed to improving the patient experience of care. We extend our apologies to the patient in this regard. The Gauteng Department of Health does not condone such behavior,” he said.

Modiba further said the matter is being investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken where employees are found wanting.