Limpopo health MEC orders investigation after baby deaths at understaffed hospital

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Limpopo health MEC Norman Mabasa has ordered an investigation into the deaths of four babies in the critically understaffed George Masebe government hospital over the festive season.

Mabasa paid an impromptu visit to the hospital on Monday and said he wanted to know how and when each child had died.

Reports over the weekend suggested that the four had died of treatable illnesses because there were not enough doctors on duty to do ward rounds.

It was also alleged that the entire hospital management contingent had been on leave.

Mabasa asked a commission of enquiry to report to him within a week, and said he would take action if hospital personnel had been negligent.

Labour union Nehawu said in a statement that the hospital's staff should be held accountable for the infants' deaths.