THE Democratic Alliance in the province has revealed that more than 400 babies have died at notorious Phoenix hospital - Mahatma Gandhi - since the beginning of the year.
The shocking statistics, released by KZN's health department, indicate that 407 babies have died at the hospital since January 2009. DA MPP, George Mari today revealed that the information - gained through the parliamentary question process - showed that the majority of deaths were pulmonary TB-related. "A total of 285 deaths are PTB-related, 52 are the result of babies born prematurely, 64 relate to low birth weights and 6 are classified as ‘age shock'", said Mari.
According to Mari, figures from other hospitals, within the province, pale in comparison with those from Mahatma Gandhi. "At Durban 's RK Khan hospital, 178 babies have died since the beginning of the year. There is an urgent need for an investigation into the reasons for the appallingly high infant mortality rate at Mahatma Gandhi and for this information to be acted upon immediately."
Mari added that the hospital - also known as the ‘hospital of death' - had recorded a total of 2 327 deaths since January 2009, with most TB and pneumonia related.
"Clearly Mahatma Gandhi is a neonatal disaster zone and the situation cannot remain unchanged. The DA calls on KZN Health MEC, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, to recognize this and act accordingly."
Statement issued by George Mari, MPP, Democratic Alliance KZN provincial legislature, October 12 2009
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