A new mother in Cape Town says staff at Gugulethu Community Health Centre wouldn’t help her give birth because she didn’t bring pyjamas.
“I was in labour and my family rushed me to the hospital,” she said.
“But when we got there the staff member refused to assist me because I didn’t bring pyjamas. I didn’t know that to get help delivering a baby, one needs to have pyjamas.”
Her family warned that the baby could come any time, but she claims staff didn’t seem worried.
“My family took me to another clinic where I was assisted without being asked about the pyjamas. I don’t know why they are letting that stop them from assisting pregnant women,” she said.
Pamela Tungana, a resident in the area, said her friend had a similar experience.
“Luckily, my friend stays close to the hospital, so we rushed home to get the pyjamas,” said Tungana.
“The hospital should understand that sometimes when a woman is in pain, they rush and forget some things, but that shouldn’t stop them from assisting them. They are not as important as the baby that they have to deliver.”
But Western Cape health spokesperson Monique Johnstone denied the woman was turned away.
“We do not turn away any patient seeking care. She was not turned away by our staff but asked to wait in the waiting area which is outside the labour ward, while the nurse was admitting a patient who was in active labour,” said Johnstone.
“Pregnant mothers are told during check-ups to bring a delivery bag with items like sleepwear.”
She said on the day the patient arrived at the MOU, the midwife explained why it was advised that the patient bring a bag with specific items required after labour.
“However, she was assured that if she did not have these items with her, she would still be assisted,” said Johnstone.
“At the time of her arrival, the midwife was attending to another patient, and once the previous patient was admitted, she called for the mother, who was nowhere to be found.”
She said the mother or family must come and speak to the midwife in charge or the facility manager to address the misunderstanding.
With a national health budget cut at the back end of last year, the Western Cape government said it had a shortfall of just over R800-million for this year, 2024.
Meanwhile, a woman at the Clairwood Hospital set herself on fire in the early hours of Thursday after being left alone in the medicine room.
Pictured above: A pregnant woman visiting the Gugulethu Community Health Centre in Cape Town claims she was chased away because she didn’t bring pyjamas.
Source: Buziwe Nocuze
