I’m all for respecting the law and following rules. But when rules and laws make me question my humanity we’ve got a serious problem – I will break the rules without thinking twice.
A moment that was supposed to be special for a mother giving birth to her daughter was turned into a nightmare. Labour is a painful yet beautiful experience, but in some cases, it can lead to complications and death.
Francine Ngalula Kalala, the woman who gave birth at Park Station was treated horribly by health officials because of her asylum status. Have we totally lost it as a society? Where is our compassion? Is protocol more important than a human life? I was shocked by the inhumane treatment this mother had to go through and made me question the type of people who work in our health care systems.
We just came out of Africa month. We spoke about uBuntu and how we are all one and should celebrate each other’s rich history and cultures, but we failed this woman to the point that she felt unwelcome and unsafe in our country. Imagine the scars Kalala will carry for the rest of her life. I don’t care if she is a foreign national – she was in labour and needed medical attention. But three hospitals turned her away. Not one, but three. So, what if she had complications and lost her baby, who would we blame then?
Nobody wants to take responsibility for her traumatic experience because we have become a country that takes no responsibility for our actions. Did she deserve to give birth in the street? Was it necessary for her baby to come into this world with so much trauma?
As a woman, it pains me to even imagine the environment she was in: no privacy and everyone wanting to see the action. The pains of labour and the worries of not having the assistance of professional medical staff.
Thank you to the Park Station staff that helped her in her time of need – that was human of you. Shame on you Tshwane District Hospital, Steve Biko Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. You demolished a precious memory that can never be regained. You abandoned the oath you took in medical school to save lives. I hope you reflect on this day and really consider what a human life means to you. Is it the colour of the skin, race or nationality?
Every single human life matters. Even if it’s not a South African.
Emmanuella (which faith), I apologise for the inhumane treatment that you and your mother received.
