The Department of Health has finally provided answers and, hopefully, a bit of closure for the Singh family from Johannesburg, after their 32-year-old family member died during childbirth at the Westbury Clinic.
According to reports, the expectant mother, Miriam Singh, had allegedly gone to the clinic in labour just before the New Year celebrations on Sunday, 29 December. It was said that during delivery, she passed away. Her baby also did not survive.
The Singh family said that this came as a shock to them and that they could not understand what would cause their loved one’s death. They also claimed that the clinic could not provide any answers as to why their loved one passed away only an hour after being admitted. The family took to protesting outside the clinic on Tuesday, 31 December.
DEPARTMENT EXPLAINS UNDERLYING CONDITION
On Thursday, the Gauteng Department of Health released a statement saying that it had instituted an investigation to establish the facts around the case.
“The Department has since received the outcome of the internal investigation, which was also subjected to expert review by leading specialists in obstetrics/gynaecology and surgery from Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital,” the statement read.
The department said that it had found that the correct protocols were followed by the healthcare workers in attendance.
“The postmortem report has revealed that the patient had a serious underlying condition which contributed to the deterioration of her condition within a short space of time after presenting at our health facility.
“Given doctor-patient confidentiality, the department is unable to expatiate further on the actual medical condition of the patient,” the department said.
POST MORTEM
Head of Communication at the department, Motalatale Modiba, also confirmed that the investigating officer from the South African Police Service handed over the postmortem report to the Singh family.
The department also extended its deepest condolences to the Singh family for the sudden loss and said it would continue to avail counselling services and redress as and when the family is available.
WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES FACING TRAGEDIES LIKE THIS IN PUBLIC HEALTHCARE FACILITIES?
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