Question NW2441 to the Minister of Health
15 September 2022 - NW2441
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) are the names of the health workers responsible for the swapping of two babies at the Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Durban and (b)(i) consequence management has been taken against them and (ii) are the details around the other child who died as the department says it is not linked to the swapping incident?
Reply:
According to the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Health, the response is as follows:
a) It was the professional nurses with a qualification as Advanced Midwives;
b) (i) A formal disciplinary process has been instituted against the involved staff members.
(ii) This was a full term baby born to a 16 year old mother. There was late booking to the antenatal clinic with 4 visits. The newborn was born with fetal distress. Other problems were that of jaundice and parenteral diarrhoea with neonatal sepsis. The cause of death was neonatal sepsis.
END.