POLOKWANE – Swift reaction from the community, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and police saved the life of a newborn baby girl in Ga-Manamela in Moletji on Sunday, 10 June.
Read more: Baby girl rescued from pit toilet in Moletjie with orange sack around her neck
Concerned residents investigated cries coming from a pit toilet and upon investigation they saw a baby was dumped in the toilet. They notified the EMS rescue team and police who tried by all means to save the baby from the pit toilet.
EMS Acting Provincial Rescue Coordinator, Robby Masubelele said the team, including the police, dug a hole in the side of the pit toilet to gain access to where the baby was.
“We made a hole in the wall and I reached into the toilet to pull the baby out, giving her to the other members of the team who immediately began applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The umbilical cord that was still attached to the placenta helped keep the baby alive but we still had to act quickly. We removed an orange sack which was tied around the baby’s neck and gave her oxygen. She began crying, showing a sign that she was still alive,” Masubelele said.
Safely warm inside a blanket, the newborn baby girl was transported by the medical team to WF Knobel Hospital in Moletji for necessary assistance and treatment.
The Department of Health Spokesperson, Thabiso Teffo, said they are thankful for the police, paramedic and rescue team for their swift reaction to save the baby’s life.
MEC for the Department of Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, congratulated the EMS rescue team on the wonderful job they’ve once again done successfully without fail. She condemned parents dumping babies.
“There are options available for parents who cannot take care of their children for whatever reason. Instead of dumping the babies in pit toilets or anywhere else, get assistance through our hospitals or social development offices where they can get more information where they can take the children they are no longer able to care for,” Teffo said.
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, said the mother of the baby was later arrested and is under police guard at the WF Knobel Hospital. “She is expected to appear in court soon on charges of attempted murder,” Ngoepe added.
