Port Shepstone Hospital
6 March 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is investigating circumstances around
the death of a baby that allegedly fell off from an incubator at Port Shepstone
Hospital.
The hospital report said the baby was allegedly jaundiced and undergoing
phototherapy when the incident occurred on 13 February.
It is alleged that the baby fell off the incubator. Since the incident, the
baby has had intermittent apnoea and bloody naso-gastric drainage. The next
day, the baby developed a blocked tube whilst being hand-bagged. The baby was
airlifted to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital where he later died.
Reports have been taken from the staff members that were present when the
baby fell and the investigation is underway. Another staff meeting regarding
the incident will be held on Monday so that the hospital could get to the
bottom of the matter.
The department would await the outcome of the internal investigation and
hope that appropriate action will be taken if it is found that there was any
negligence on behalf of the staff.
Enquiries:
Sibonelo Msomi
Telephone: (033) 395 2551
Leon Mbangwa
General Manager: Corporate Communication
KZN Department of Health Spokesperson
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
6 March 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
