Sekhukhune’s Clinic manager suspended after 2nd woman gives birth at facility’s gate
The Operational Manager of the Sekhukhune Clinic was suspended with immediate effect after a second woman was forced to give birth outside the gates of Ngwaabe Clinic on Wednesday morning.
LIMPOPO – Ten days ago, a woman gave birth at the facility’s gates after being turned away. The Health Department is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Read more: Limpopo nurses probed after woman gives birth outside clinic
In a statement, Health Spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said they were disappointed following yet another incident of this kind.
“This incident happened despite the fact that our district officials had a meeting with the nursing staff and local community. The nursing staff signed a commitment in front of the community promising them that they would be available to attend to cases of emergencies at night,” said Shikwambana.
Read more: Woman forced to give birth outside clinic after guard allegedly denies her entry
He added that the clinic has nine midwives, three staff nurses and two assistant nurses and yet, none was available to assist the two women.
“It is in view of this that we suspended the operational manager of Ngwaabe Clinic. An interim operational manager was appointed to resume duties with immediate effect.”
He said as the department, they would not stand by and watch while people, entrusted with the privilege to serve the communities who have no other option outside the public health care system, continue to fumble to the detriment of the lives of these community members. He also called on unions to advise their members according to the prescripts of the law, saying nursing staff “don’t work for unions”.
