Trauma for teen as baby dies, family demands R4 million

A family in Mankweng is on the brink of suing the Department of Health for R4 million after doctors at Mankweng Hospital allegedly injected a young pregnant teenager with what they suspect is medication meant to bring on abortion.
It is alleged that the 15-year-old pregnant girl went to the hospital on 29 March for a check-up after experiencing pain. Her parents, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that medical professionals at the hospital did not bother to do a scan or perform any other procedures usually carried out on pregnant women but just gave their daughter medicine and injected her with a substance which worsened the pains.
They alleged that when they arrived home, the daughter went into early labour as it is suspected that the foetus was at least six to seven months old. They were reportedly forced to deliver the baby at home and while rushing the new-born, a boy, to hospital in a private vehicle, he expired. The teen’s parents further alleged that after an examination of the corpse a doctor said the baby’s lungs were blocked and it could not breathe. The family suspected the medication to be the cause thereof. They went on to claim that the baby’s flesh displayed burn wounds which they also suspect were caused by the injection.
The family alleged that none of the doctors at the hospital wanted to take responsibility for signing the post-mortem certificate. It is alleged that ‘Lefa’, as his mother had named him, has been in the morgue for at least six months now and the family cannot find peace.
“We lodged a complaint at the hospital but management doesn’t show any remorse. We then decided to seek legal representation to assist us in taking legal action against the department and demand R4 million in damages which we believe is a small amount to ease our pain. Our daughter is even thinking of committing suicide because of the trauma. After the incident, she was admitted to the same hospital for a period of time to receive medical treatment which clearly shows that the medication and the injection were for an abortion,” the concerned parents explained.
Polokwane Observer also learnt that the young mother nearly committed suicide last Wednesday because she cannot cope with the situation. The family claimed that the hospital has been pushing to bury the baby without a post-mortem certificate which they suspect to be a mechanism to tamper with evidence. They further alleged that the hospital has not given them the respect they deserve because they are unemployed and poor.
The mother, a Grade 8 learner, said the matter is frustrating her and that she struggled to concentrate on her school work. She stressed that she was ready to be a mother and had named her dead son ‘Lefa’, meaning gift.
“My first son just perished. I couldn’t even get a chance to hold him in my arms. The thought of him gives me negative thoughts and I wish I could just die. I think the hospital did this on purpose because the doctors knew the dangers of the drug they injected me with. I am helpless and just want my son to be buried. I haven’t visited him in the mortuary since the incident because I am scared,” she stated.
While the family informed that their legal representative was still negotiating with the hospital departmental spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana stated the family had brought the issue before the court, hence the department is unable to comment on the matter as they are preparing to respond in court.

Story & photo: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za