Premature newborn dies after Durban nurses allegedly ignore pregnant woman's pleas
Two nurses at KwaZulu-Natal's St. Mary's Hospital, west of Durban, are facing a disciplinary hearing following the death of a premature newborn.
The Health Department says they were suspended for allegedly ignoring a pregnant woman's pleas at the Mariannhill-based facility at the weekend.
She'd asked for help saying she was in severe pain. She was apparently told to only call them after her baby arrives.
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KZN health department spokesperson, Noluthando Nkosi says with the help of other patients - the woman, who'd been pregnant for six-months - delivered her baby. But the infant died eight hours later.
Nkosi says news of the patient's mistreatment has left them appalled.
"The MEC has further instructed the accounting officer to investigate and take the necessary disciplinary action as the alleged incident goes against everything that this administration stands for, which is respect for our patients and the prioritisation of their needs," she said.
