BABY DEATHS REPORT FINALLY RELEASED

After months of stalling, Gauteng Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe has finally sent me the full investigation report into six baby deaths at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in May last year (copy available on request).

A two-page summary of this report was released on 21 July last year, but former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu refused to release the full report even after I applied for it through the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

My analysis is that the full report, which was chaired by Professor Dankwart Wittenberg, the former head of paediatrics at the Steve Biko Hospital,  does not add much new to what has already been disclosed about the cause of deaths of the babies.

It identifies a number of deficiencies including a lack of basic supplies such as roller towels and antiseptic sprays, as well as shortage of equipment such as thermometers which could lead to cross-infection if shared between babies.

The previously disclosed conclusion is that "The deaths of the babies occurred as a consequence of a norovirus epidemic in the neonatal wards ... No specific acts of negligence in relation to the care or treatment of individual patients were identified."

I suspect that the following paragraph is the reason why the report was withheld as it could provide grounds for the mothers of the dead babies to sue the hospital:

"The epidemic and its tragic consequences have drawn attention to the extreme pressure on the neonatal unit from crowding and insufficient space, equipment and staff. Breakdowns have occurred in the application of standard operating procedures and quality control. These increase the risk for similar tragedies happening again." (added emphasis).

I am aware that five of the babies' mothers are being assisted by a major law firm to sue the hospital and I will ensure that they get this report.

It is essential that there is accountability for these deaths even if no specific individual can be directly blamed.

Things like handwashing and basic infection control do not cost money and need to be rigorously enforced at all times at all hospitals.

Measures should be taken to address management, staff, equipment and overcrowding issues to ensure that no baby ever dies again from rectifiable deficiencies.

A legal case would be good if it reinforces this basic principle.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, January 20 2011

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