Reports indicate that it has been a month since the passing of a 21-month-old baby at the Hartswater Hospital in the Northern
Cape, and his family is still searching for answers. Neo Kelepe, the baby's
father, alleges that the hospital was negligent in their care, failing to
provide his son with the specialized treatment he needed. According to
Kelepe, the hospital staff saw that his son required a ventilation machine but
failed to put him under one, leading to his death. The family is
seeking answers and demanding accountability from the hospital. The
incident has raised concerns about the quality of care provided at the hospital
and the need for specialized pediatric care in the region. In response, the Northern Cape
Department of Health says they convey condolences to the family of the baby patient who
was admitted at Connie Voster Hospital on Saturday, 8 June 2024. Spokesperson Lulu Mxekezo says the patient was very
ill & weak when brought to hospital and had missed two immunization schedules. She says the doctors and nurses did their best to treat the patient. Mxekezo says the patient
demised on Thursday, 13 June 2024.
The Department appeals
to all parents and guardians to take their children to clinics for routine
immunizations according to schedule on their clinic cards. It also pleads with parents
and guardians to take children under 5 years to nearest clinic or hospital
immediately when they start getting sick and not delay.
Journalist: Murial Meintjies
Email: intern2@radioriverside.co.za