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I am alarmed and saddened by the report today of poor care received by a woman in labour at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital that allegedly led to the death of her baby daughter.

Rudzani Molaudzi (22) says that she was "forced" to deliver her baby by herself last week at the hospital after being ignored for hours by staff while she was in labour.

When her baby was born, a doctor pronounced that she was dead without examining her. The baby then started crying and was rushed to ICU, but died nine hours later.

This latest incident comes after the disclosure by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa in reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature that 1338 infants died at birth at this hospital between 2014 and 2016.

The department claims that there is no negligent care at the neonatal and maternity units, but I really doubt this denial.

There are 15 vacancies at these units that need to be filled urgently and answers are needed about the many reports of poor care.

I have requested the Gauteng Health Department for an oversight visit to the hospital next week to find out why so many babies are dying or become brain-damaged because of negligence.

We need to know what the problems are at this hospital and what is being done to fix them.

Issued by DA