Pregnant woman collapses outside Zandspruit clinic after being turned away

It is alleged that the patient collapsed outside the clinic in Roodepoort after she had been told to return home and prepare to go to hospital.


MMC for health and social development in the City of Joburg Dr Mpho Phalatse was shocked and disappointed following an incident where a pregnant woman who was about to go into labour was turned away from Zandspruit Clinic on 6 April.

It is alleged the patient collapsed outside the clinic after she had been told to return home and prepare to go to a hospital, Randburg Sun reports.

READ MORE: Pregnant woman raped in front of her child, bites her alleged rapist’s private part

The woman later gave birth to twins inside the same clinic after she was rushed back.

Dr Mpho Phalatse, MMC for Health and Social Development, is disappointed and ashamed at the service the mother received.

On 11 April, MMC Phalatse visited the mother and the babies and expressed her disappointment and shame at the service the mother received.

She was quite pleased to see that both the mother and the twins were doing well in spite of the ordeal. The MMC has since instituted an internal investigation, and is demanding a full report.

“As custodians of healthcare in the City of Joburg, it is expected of us to adhere to the principles of the Hippocratic Oath, to do good [beneficence] and do no harm [non-maleficence].

“This nursing professional’s failure to observe this code of practice endangered the life of this mother and her twin boys.

“I am extremely disappointed at the seemingly lackadaisical approach to attending to this patient, and even more so in the attempt to hide the truth, misleading both myself and management,” said MMC Phalatse.

Disciplinary action will be instituted once investigations are concluded.

The current administration has committed to professionalising civil service and upholding the ethos of service with pride.

Deviation from this culture will be met with disdain and punishable according to our labour laws and code of ethics, she said.

MMC Phalatse has welcomed the oversight role played by various organisations and individuals to hold the City officials accountable.

Operations at the clinic have since resumed after a temporal closure.

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/pregnant-woman-raped-in-front-of-her-child-bites-her-alleged-rapists-private-part/

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.

Read more on these topics

pregnant Roodepoort twins

Access premium news and stories

Access to the top content, vouchers and other member only benefits