Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang cannot continue to admit that poor infection-control procedures were to blame for the outbreak and spreading of klebsiella that has now led to the deaths of six babies in KwaZulu-Natal, and in another breath shirk all blame for what has happened on behalf of her department and subordinates.

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang cannot continue to admit that poor infection-control procedures were to blame for the outbreak and spreading of klebsiella that has now led to the deaths of six babies in KwaZulu-Natal, and in another breath shirk all blame for what has happened on behalf of her department and subordinates.

The report by medical microbiologist and professor at the Nelson R Mandela Medical School Prashini Moodley has shown that the outbreak and the resulting deaths of the first five babies was because of the following:

l Overcrowding and understaffing;

l The irresponsible re-use of intravenous equipment;

l Weak infection control procedures; and

l Because health professionals failed to adhere to procedures.

The Health Department is therefore clearly at fault.

The report should be made available to the parents of the deceased infants and any organisations or individuals supporting them so that they can: Claim the reparations that are due to them; bring charges against the Department of Health - if necessary, both nationally and in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mike Waters,

DA spokesman on health