WATCH: Rise Mzansi demands delivery of quality healthcare services at Tambo
The party said one of the many sad stories is of the woman who was forced to give birth on the floor of the hospital, resulting in her newborn baby sustaining a head injury and subsequently dying eight days later.
In response to the ‘dwindling’ resources and services at hospitals across the country, members of RISE Mzansi descended on Tambo Memorial Hospital (TMH) staging a protest outside on December 6.
They demanded that the healthcare centre be equipped with adequate resources to be able to provide the level of care South Africans deserve.
Among those present during the march was the party national communication director Mabine Seabe.
Rise Mzansi’s national coordinator, Esther Padi, criticised the government for allowing the healthcare facility o gradually deteriorate, leaving millions of people without quality healthcare services.
“We are demanding that those who walk through the gates of Tambo Memorial and other public hospitals are treated with care and dignity. Padi said they have noted that thousands of women and children are often mistreated in the wards of TMH and many other clinics and hospitals in Gauteng.
“This particular hospital is a picture of the South Africa we live in, where health centres are poorly funded and under-resourced, with failing infrastructure, and overworked and sometimes uncaring officials.”
Padi stated that one of the many sad stories is of Louisa Radcliffe, who was forced to give birth on the floor of the hospital. It resulted in her newborn baby sustaining a head injury and subsequently dying eight days later.
“May the little soul of Baby Radcliffe continue to rest in peace. No mother should have to go through this.”
Padi pointed out that the case of Radcliffe is not an isolated incident.
“The Gauteng Department of Health annual report clearly states that 72% of the under-5 deaths that occurred at District Hospitals in Gauteng were neonatal deaths because of a shortage of neonatal ICU beds. This is the ongoing case at this hospital and others across Gauteng.”
The party explained that in light of all these issues, it will be writing to the office of the Heath Ombud to launch a wide-ranging and national investigation into systemic failings in ensuring the safety of patients at health facilities, especially the care and safety of women and children.
