baby dies DA opens charges

Baby dies, criminal charges filed against nurses, DOH

A woman gave birth to her baby outside a 24 hour clinic after she was denied entry during the early hours of the morning.

baby dies DA opens charges

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has laid a criminal charge of culpable homicide against nurses and a charge of criminal negligence against the Limpopo Department of Health after a baby died outside a local clinic.

The charges were opened at the at Musina Police station after the death of a baby that allegedly fell to the ground when it was delivered outside Madimbo Clinic in the province recently.

DA member of the provincial legislature in Limpopo and spokesperson for health Risham Maharaj said that the baby’s parents and eye witnesses who were at the clinic at the time had alleged that the baby had dropped to the ground during birth.

“This comes after a woman arrived at the clinic which is meant to be a 24-hour clinic, during the early hours of the morning. She was denied entry by the security guard and no assistance was forthcoming from anyone in the clinic,” Maharaj said.

“The woman eventually gave birth outside the gate, while waiting for the clinic to open, apparently only at 07:00. The nurse indicated all was well when they were eventually attended to, and were transferred to Donald Fraser Hospital, where the baby passed on.”

Maharaj said that the DA had laid the charge against the nurse and the department of health as it was “determined to ensure a transparent investigation and accountability for the uncaring manner in which the mother was treated”. 

“There should have never been a scenario in which a pregnant mother is denied entry, and a baby is born outside the gates of a clinic that is meant to be operational. We send our heartfelt condolences to the young parents of the deceased baby as well as the entire family, and hope that this case helps them receive some answers and closure over this ordeal,” Maharaj said.

“The DA believes that good quality healthcare in rural areas needs to be prioritised to ensure rural communities of their dignity and access to healthcare.”