State hospitals continue to neglect pregnant women

State hospitals continue to neglect pregnant women

The DA is shocked to learn about yet another incident of state hospital staff neglecting a woman and her baby during childbirth.

A pregnant woman admitted to Witbank Provincial Hospital and according to her sister; she delivered a healthy baby girl whose vitals were fine. The family later saw the baby with an ice pack on her head meaning the baby had suffered head trauma. When they questioned the doctors about the trauma, they received conflicting answers; the baby since been placed in ICU.

Less than a week ago, a woman gave birth unassisted in Middelburg hospital and her baby fell to the floor.

It is extremely concerning that there seems to be an ongoing trend for pregnant women neglected in hospitals and for them to denied the necessary assistance; often leading to tragic circumstances.  

The Health department’s annual performance plan states that the department has instructed all of healthcare facilities in Mpumalanga to review maternal and perinatal deaths.

In the Annual report for 2013/14, maternal mortality decreased from 166/100 000 to 133/100 000 but the infant and child mortality increased from 8.3% in 2012/2013 to 10.7 in 2013/2014. The mortality of children under five years of age has also increased from 5.5% in 2012/2013 7.8% in 2013/14.

According to a recent study, the perinatal mortality rate was highest in Nkangala District at 36.2 per 1000 live births in the year 2010/2011, followed by Gert Sibande District at 33.2 per 1000 live births and Ehlanzeni district at 31.8 per 1000 live births.

The DA has been fighting tirelessly for public hospitals and nurses to treat childbirth with the seriousness and care it deserves but unfortunately, many pregnant women still being mistreated in public hospitals. We cannot allow for this to continue. As such, we will be writing parliamentary questions to Health MEC, Gillion Mashego to find out how exactly the department intends to make sure that public hospitals are safe birthing centres for pregnant women.

The DA will continue its plight ensure the safety of women and babies in hospitals and to restore the dignity of bringing life into the world.