...By Roland Peterson for TDPel Media.
Investigation Launched as Newborn Babies Placed in Boxes at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital
The North West Health MEC, Madoda Sambatha, has initiated an investigation following an alarming incident at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital.
Instead of being placed in proper incubators or crib beds, newborn babies in the neonatal section were found in boxes.
The incident occurred on Saturday, 20 May, during the day, but hospital management claims they were not informed at the time.
The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgwethane, expressed grave concern over the matter.
He emphasized that the hospital should have had systems and Standard Operating Procedures in place to address any shortage of incubators.
Lekgwethane pointed out that weekly management meetings, held on Monday mornings, should have addressed this incident, yet it was never reported.
MEC Sambatha has directed that a swift investigation be conducted.
He stressed the need to determine how long the babies were placed in the boxes.
In situations where staff members encounter dire circumstances over the weekend, they are expected to notify managers, who can then organize suitable alternatives.
Additional cribs are currently being arranged to be promptly sent from another facility to Mahikeng Provincial Hospital.
This incident raises serious concerns about the care provided to newborn babies at the hospital. Immediate action is necessary to address the issue and prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
