The Democratic Alliance has called for an independent investigation into the case of a teenager who gave birth to a decapitated baby.
The 19-year-old woman gave birth at the Tambo Memorial Hospital and reportedly watched as her baby's head was detached from the body.
The DA's Jack Bloom, who shadows the health MEC in the provincial legislature says the mother reportedly had to wait for 24 hours for the rest of the body to be extracted.
He said an independent investigation was needed as it should be known why this case was not being treated as an emergency and why a caesarian section was not performed.
Bloom said they also wanted to know what is being done about over-crowded conditions at the hospital’s 30-bed neonatal ward.
According to Bloom baby deaths at this ward increased alarmingly last year when expectant mothers were diverted there in large numbers because the neonatal ward at the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus was closed after a Klebsiella outbreak.
Bloom said it is important that the public is assured that this ward is "properly staffed and equipped, with quality care for all patients".
- African News Agency (ANA)
