SHARPEVILLE – First-time mother Reabetswe Makhubo (17) was left to deliver her baby by herself after being left stranded by medical practitioners.

The woman went to Sharpeville Community Clinic in the early morning hours in order to prepare for her birth and hoped for professional assistance in delivering her baby.

It was little known to her that the most cherished moment of her life, being a mother, would turn out to be an especially traumatic one.

Furthermore, the traumatized mother was forced to watch her newborn baby bump on the clinic floor while nurses enjoyed their tea break.

Speaking to Ster North, Zodwa Khubeka, mother of Reabetswe, recounted the story of how her daughter almost lost her baby.

The furious first-time grandmother said her granddaughter turned blue after birth due to lack of oxygen.

“My daughter was struggling with pain from Monday evening until Tuesday morning.

Around past 5, 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 nurse yelling at her asking who said she must call people, she must hang up that phone,” she said.

Zodwa said she asked a friend to go check up on Reabetswe, who told her 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 and she didn’t tell me, she just pointed with her head,” she said.

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

“I thought it was a minor thing. I asked to see the baby, I was told I was not allowed, only the father of the child should see her. I left went home. When I came back, I found Reabetswe inside the ambulance en route to Sebokeng hospital.

“I followed Reabetswe to Sebokeng hospital. When I got there, I interrogated her and she told me she had given birth on the floor. She said she tried to ask for help and the nurses told her they are having their tea time.

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 birthday while nurses enjoy their tea?”

Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the complaint was 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,” he said.

Modiba said the Gauteng Department of Health does not condone such behavior. “The matter is being investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken when employees are found wanting.”