Enraged parents want answers

The family of a new-born baby who was born with a burn wound is blaming Evander Hospital for the injury the baby sustained.

According to the family, Ms Amanda Pelser, the baby’s mother, experienced contractions and was admitted to Evander Hospital on 31 January.

Ms Pelser was connected to a cartography (CTG) apparatus to measure the strength, duration and intervals of her contractions in order to determine when delivery could be expected.

The family believes the apparatus was not connected properly.

The device was connected to her by means of a bandage.

The family said this is not the correct procedure as there should be some kind of mindulgent measure to prevent possible injury.

Ms Pelser apparently complained to the staff of the hospital that she was having severe pains and that the machine was burning her.

However she was allegedly ignored by the nurses on duty who continued with the procedure.

As soon as the procedure was over, Ms Pelser discovered burn wounds on her skin where the apparatus was connected.

Ms Pelser took a photo of the burn wounds as proof.

The situation was brought under the attention of the personnel in the maternity ward, but Ms Pelser got very little assisatance from the personnel to attend to the burn wounds.

She was discharged as it was ascertained that she had not gone into labour at that times.

Ms Pelser went into labour and was again admitted to Evander Hospital on 12 February.

Her son was born later that day.

Mr and Ms Pelser were shocked when their son was born with serious burn wounds on the left side of his head.

They claimed this was due to the cartography apparatus that burned Ms Pelser.

The baby was transferred to the neonatal ward because of the burn wounds.

When Ms Pelser went to visit her baby and returned to her ward, her bed was apparently allocated to another patient.

She did not have a bed in hospital for three days before she was discharged on 15 February.

“It is totally unacceptable that the child was born with serious burn wounds and should begin his life with unnecessary trauma and serious injuries which he obtained before birth,” said Mr Charles Biggs, the family’s spokesman.

“The possibility of a negative affect on his life in the future cannot be excluded.

“Although there is no evidence currently to prove what caused the injuries on the baby’s head, the balance of probabilities indicates the injury definitely relate to the trauma and injuries that his mother obtained shortly before he was born.”

The family is also concerned that the child could suffer other serious illnesses such as brain damage in the future.

“If it is taken into account that a baby has a soft skull before birth, it is possible that there might be injuries or damage that does not manifest at the time.

“The possibility of brain damage cannot be excluded.”

The family does not have a medical aid and therefore cannot afford to have the baby assessed by a paediatrician.

On 23 February, the incident was brought under the attention of the executive manager of the hospital and a meeting was arranged for 3 March.

The hospital undertook to provide full feedback regarding the matter within a week.

The parents have not yet received any word from the hospital.

“We are of the opinion that Evander Hospital and/or the Mpumalanga Department of Health and/or the National Department of Health accept responsibility for this situation that was caused by prima facia neglect.

“In our memorandum to the hospital we requested them to indicate how they will assist the family financially with any future expenses, and/or procedures and/or interventions that may arise from this unfortunate event,’ said Mr Biggs.

He can be contacted at 073 916 1691 of fax at 086 559 3341.

The newspaper contacted Evander Hospital for comment, but they failed to comment at time of going to press.