Zola Clinic under fire after newborn dies in alleged case of medical negligence
A Zola family demands justice after a baby died, allegedly due to negligence at a local clinic.
A family in Zola One is demanding justice after Phumla Gubudela (27) allegedly faced medical negligence at the Zola Clinic when she was admitted to give birth on September 13.
According to Gubudela, the nurse attending to her did not provide proper assistance, despite repeatedly telling her she could feel the baby coming.
“I was kneeling in pain when the nurse told me to stand up and come to her.
“I told her I couldn’t because I could feel the baby coming, but she shouted at me, insisting I get up. As I tried to stand and walk towards her, my baby came out and fell to the floor,” she said.
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She stated that after the incident, an ambulance took her to the Baragwanath Hospital and admitted her baby.
The hospital discharged the baby on September 16, telling the mother that a scan of the baby’s head revealed that it was fine.
“On September 22, after I had finished breastfeeding, the baby suddenly became weak and was not okay.
We took her to the Bheki Mlangeni Hospital, where they told me that the baby’s heartbeat had stopped.
“When I explained what had happened during the birth, I was informed that my baby’s death was unnatural and that I should open a case,” explained Gubudela.
Gubudela said a post-mortem revealed that the cause of death was head trauma and related complications.
Phumla’s sister, Nomthandazo Gubudela, told the Urban News that the family is frustrated with the justice system, as there has been no progress since they opened the case.
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“This has been traumatic for my sister. Losing a child because of the negligence of people who don’t take their jobs seriously is heartbreaking.
As a family, we want the clinic held accountable, but even if we demand the nurse be disciplined, it likely won’t happen. We lost an innocent life due to a nurse who neglected her responsibilities.
“On top of that, the police we reported the case to have done nothing and haven’t even provided a case number, showing that we are being failed at every level,” said Nomthandazo.
