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Soweto Mother Demands Justice After Newborn Dies Following Alleged Clinic Negligence
Soweto – A Soweto mother is demanding answers and justice after her newborn baby died just nine days after birth, alleging that negligence by clinic staff directly contributed to the infant's death.
Phumla Gubudela, 27, claims that a nurse at Zola Clinic instructed her to stand up during the final, critical stages of labour, despite her repeated warnings that the baby was already crowning. This instruction, she alleges, resulted in her newborn daughter's head hitting the floor during delivery.
Tragically, medical records from the Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital indicate that Gubudela’s infant, named Kwandokuhle, died due to complications after suffering blunt force head trauma. Kwandokuhle was Gubudela’s third child.
Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that an inquest has been opened into the matter. “No arrest has been made. [The] investigation is continuing,” she said.
Gubudela recounted the harrowing events of September 13, when she was rushed to Zola Clinic after experiencing labour pains. Upon arrival, she said a nurse checked her progress.
“The nurse then proceeded to examine me and told me I was 5cm dilated [This indicates that labour is progressing.] After she [nurse] examined me, she sent me to another room,” Gubudela told Sowetan.
She described entering a labour room where she found three nurses and another pregnant patient who was already in bed.
“I entered the room and because I was already feeling labour pains and couldn’t walk, I knelt down. One of the three nurses spoke harshly to me, telling me to stand up and come to where she was sitting."
Gubudela said she pleaded with the nurse, explaining that she could feel the baby coming out and was unable to stand. However, she alleges that the nurse repeatedly instructed her to come to her table. "As I was walking towards her, my baby came out and hit the floor with her head,” Gubudela said.
The baby was then taken to another room. Gubudela said the nurses told her that they would be transferring both of them to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. All this time, the baby was quiet and not crying.
Gubudela and Kwandokuhle were both admitted to the hospital, but the mother was discharged the following day, September 14. She was told that her daughter would remain for further examinations. Kwandokuhle was kept in the hospital for three days.
“Around 4pm on September 22, after breastfeeding her, she just became weak,” Gubudela said, recalling the devastating events leading to her daughter’s death.
“We rushed her to Bheki Mlangeni, and they told me my daughter’s heartbeat had stopped, but because she was still warm, they would try to resuscitate her. But a few minutes later, they told me she’s no more.”
Gubudela further alleges that the nurses at Bheki Mlangeni asked her about bruises they had noticed on the baby's hands. She explained that the bruises were caused by the drips inserted during her hospital stay.
“That’s when I told them exactly what had happened: that I gave birth on the floor, and my baby’s head hit the ground. After hearing that, they told me this was not a natural death, and they called the police,” she said.
Gubudela claims that the hospital has not taken responsibility for the alleged negligence of its staff. Instead, she says the clinic’s matron informed her that, due to the family pursuing legal action, they must now deal with the hospital’s lawyers.
The loss of Kwandokuhle has had a profound impact on Gubudela.
“It would have been better if she was sick, or if I had complications during my pregnancy,” she said, expressing the anguish she feels every day. “But that’s not what happened. Every day I wonder how big she would be today, how grown she would look right now.”
The Gauteng health department has acknowledged the incident and stated that an internal investigation is under way.
“The department … has instituted a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the delivery and the subsequent death of the infant. At the moment, it would be premature to speculate on the cause of death…”
The department has also offered counselling and psychosocial support to Gubudela during this incredibly difficult time. The investigation's findings will be crucial in determining the next steps and ensuring accountability in this tragic case.
English (US)