Baby’s feet red and blue after alleged beating in Mamelodi hospital

The grandmother of baby Cilarne Harris, admitted to Mamelodi District Hospital with a lung infection, is demanding justice after discovering the child with red, swollen feet and a head injury, suggesting possible abuse.

According to the grandmother, Ronel Barkley, 1-year-9-month-old Cilarne was admitted to Mamelodi District Hospital on 4 September with a lung infection.

“Upon visiting the hospital last Friday, Cilarne’s mother discovered that the baby’s feet were red and swollen, and he had an injury on his head.”

Barkley says it appears that the child may have been beaten on his feet and head.

“I was so angry I asked them who was responsible because I was going to give that person a beating,” Barkley told Rea Thusa/We Help.

“Only an evil person would hit a baby, and that person should be banned from working with children.”

After raising her concerns, Barkley was informed that Cilarne was being discharged from the hospital.

“We were very saddened to think that any mother brings her children in good condition, only to see them the next day in a bad state.”

She further stated her intention to seek legal assistance to ensure justice for her grandson.

Barkley says she believes her grandson was abused and traumatised during his hospitalisation.

“Something happened to him in the cot in the hospital; he screams when we now try to put him in a cot. This is not normal for him. He did not do this before going to the hospital. His sleeping is affected; he is getting nightmares.”

The family and Rea Thusa/We Help are calling for an investigation into the incident, questioning whether this case of alleged abuse falls under acceptable healthcare practices. They urge the National Department of Health (South Africa) and the Gauteng Health Department to address the matter urgently.

“There is continuous complaints against this specific hospital, and it would seem that it goes unattended. Is health care not enshrined in our constitution, and is each and every citizen entitled to proper health care?

“Is the alleged beating of babies now proper health care? Rea Thusa /We Help wants answers, and so does this baby’s family,” CEO of Rea Thusa/We Help, Virginia Keppler Young, said.

The acting head of communications at the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), Khutso Rabothata, confirmed that baby Cilarne was admitted to the Mamelodi Hospital.

“The department confirms that baby Cilarne Harris was admitted to Mamelodi Hospital. During his stay, no additional injuries beyond those recorded upon admission were observed or documented. Our records indicate no evidence of further injuries during the admission period. Thus, no investigation has been conducted.”

He also added that baby Cilarne was discharged only after being deemed clinically stable.

Also read: Newborn with birth defect left in filth at Steve Biko Academic Hospital

“We want to reassure you that the hospital adheres to strict protocols for managing all pediatric cases, including the prompt investigation and reporting of any injuries. The child was discharged only after being deemed clinically stable. We remain committed to prioritizing the well-being of all our patients.”

Despite the Gauteng Department of Health’s assurance that Mamelodi Regional Hospital is committed to high standards of care and takes all abuse allegations seriously, concerns remain unresolved as they have decided not to investigate Baby Cilarne Harris’s case, despite photos indicating injuries and evidence suggesting possible mistreatment.

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