THE MOTHER of a disabled boy, who allegedly suffered severe scalp damage during birth, is suing the Mpumalanga department of health for R7 million
Margaret Moremedi, of Kwaggafontein near KwaMhlanga, has alleged in papers served on the department and MEC Dikeledi Mahlangu that nurses who delivered the child - now eight years old - were "negligent and failed to carry out proper procedures".
Moremedi has claimed that midwives at KwaMhlanga Hospital, who helped her give birth to Lindokuhle Mabika in 2003, had caused her child's condition.
The department said yesterday that it was looking into the matter.
A medical report revealed that Lindokuhle has been in a state of profound spastic cerebral palsy (complicated form), severe micro cephalic (43,3cm), mentally retarded (severe) and with previous epilepsy.
The report states that on the day Moremedi gave birth, nurses attempted a vacuum delivery three times, but failed.
Vacuum delivery is a facilitation of vaginal birth by attaching a suction cup to the presenting foetal part (generally the head) and the application of traction during maternal pushing.
The report shows that this failure had caused scalp damage and scalp wound sepsis to the child.
Lindokuhle's delivery was performed by Caesarean section about four hours later.
Moremedi said after Lindokuhle was born he was kept in an incubator and on June 26 2003 was transferred to Philadelphia Hospital in Dennilton.
Her ordeal began when she was admitted to Kwaggafontein Clinic on June 19 2003. She was transferred to KwaMhlanga Hospital about 18 hours later when doctors said she was a "slow delivery".
"With a recorded problem of slow delivery, a vacuum delivery was attempted only at 1pm the next day, a delay of about 12 hours," she said.
"The attempted, and unsuccessful, vacuum extracts were performed negligently and caused Lindokuhle's scalp damage and scalp wound sepsis," a medical report revealed.
The report further states: "Having failed with the vacuum extracts, again there was another delay of about 4 hours and 30 minutes before a Caesarean section was performed."
Moremedi's lawyers allege that Lindokuhle's delivery was not performed with the required diligence and skills and were suing the health department for R7 million.
Provincial health department spokesperson Mpho Gabashane said he was still waiting for a response from their legal department on the matter.
Mom sues for R7m over disabled son
THE MOTHER of a disabled boy, who allegedly suffered severe scalp damage during birth, is suing the Mpumalanga department of health for R7 million
Margaret Moremedi, of Kwaggafontein near KwaMhlanga, has alleged in papers served on the department and MEC Dikeledi Mahlangu that nurses who delivered the child - now eight years old - were "negligent and failed to carry out proper procedures".
Moremedi has claimed that midwives at KwaMhlanga Hospital, who helped her give birth to Lindokuhle Mabika in 2003, had caused her child's condition.
The department said yesterday that it was looking into the matter.
A medical report revealed that Lindokuhle has been in a state of profound spastic cerebral palsy (complicated form), severe micro cephalic (43,3cm), mentally retarded (severe) and with previous epilepsy.
The report states that on the day Moremedi gave birth, nurses attempted a vacuum delivery three times, but failed.
Vacuum delivery is a facilitation of vaginal birth by attaching a suction cup to the presenting foetal part (generally the head) and the application of traction during maternal pushing.
The report shows that this failure had caused scalp damage and scalp wound sepsis to the child.
Lindokuhle's delivery was performed by Caesarean section about four hours later.
Moremedi said after Lindokuhle was born he was kept in an incubator and on June 26 2003 was transferred to Philadelphia Hospital in Dennilton.
Her ordeal began when she was admitted to Kwaggafontein Clinic on June 19 2003. She was transferred to KwaMhlanga Hospital about 18 hours later when doctors said she was a "slow delivery".
"With a recorded problem of slow delivery, a vacuum delivery was attempted only at 1pm the next day, a delay of about 12 hours," she said.
"The attempted, and unsuccessful, vacuum extracts were performed negligently and caused Lindokuhle's scalp damage and scalp wound sepsis," a medical report revealed.
The report further states: "Having failed with the vacuum extracts, again there was another delay of about 4 hours and 30 minutes before a Caesarean section was performed."
Moremedi's lawyers allege that Lindokuhle's delivery was not performed with the required diligence and skills and were suing the health department for R7 million.
Provincial health department spokesperson Mpho Gabashane said he was still waiting for a response from their legal department on the matter.
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