The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development in the City of Joburg, Dr Mpho Phalatse, has expressed her shocked and disappointment following an incident in which a pregnant woman who was about to go into labour was turned away from the Zandspruit Clinic on Friday, 6 April.
It is alleged that the patient collapsed outside the clinic after she was apparently told to return home and prepare to go to hospital. The woman later gave birth to twins at the clinic after she was rushed back inside.
On Wednesday, 11 April, MMC Phalatse visited the mother and the babies and expressed her disappointment and shame at the service the mother had received. She was pleased to see that both the mother and the twins were doing well in spite of their ordeal. Phalatse has since instituted an internal investigation and is demanding a full report.
“As custodians of healthcare in the City of Joburg it is expected of us to adhere to the principles of the Hippocratic Oath, to do good (beneficence) and do no harm (non-maleficence).
This nursing professional’s failure to observe this code of practice endangered the life of this mother and her twin boys. I am extremely disappointed at the seemingly lackadaisical approach to attending to this patient, and even more so at the attempt to hide the truth, misleading both myself and Management,” said MMC Phalatse.
Disciplinary action will be instituted once investigations are concluded.
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