Health Ministry has to explain baby deaths

By Khanyisa Tabata
08 June 2010

The South African Human Rights Commission has given the Health Ministry until the 25th of this month to respond to baby deaths in hospitals.

The HRC wants Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to establish exactly what his department plans to do about the deaths of babies in state hospitals.

HRC spokesperson Vincent Moaga says Mushwana says that while the Commission acknowledges the Minister’s apology to South Africans regarding the baby deaths in Gauteng, it however wishes to further highlight its concerns on the issue of hygiene, infection control and overcrowding at public health care facilities.

“Whilst the Commission is aware of and has noted the Department’s 10-point plan and what it seeks to achieve in terms of policy priorities and budget for 2010/11, the Commission hereby requests the Minister’s written response indicating what immediate steps the Department will be taking in relation to these reported incidents,” said Moaga.

Moaga added that Mushwana has also asked the Minister to provide the Commission with clarity regarding reports that the Eastern Cape Health Department was allegedly probing a report that more than 180 babies from six hospitals have died since January this year.