Baby deaths: DA calls for a national investigation

The Democratic Alliance (DA) reiterates its call for a full independent investigation into the conditions of the neonatal units in public hospitals that have resulted in unacceptably high incidences of baby deaths. This contributes directly to South Africa failing to meet its Millennium Development Goals with regards to child and infant mortality.

The exposure of the poor conditions in the neonatal unit at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital, the exposure of baby deaths at Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape and the recent report into the death of six babies at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital highlights that we are facing a national problem regarding the quality of neonatal units in public hospitals across the country.

In the report on the conditions at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, which my colleague Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Health spokesperson, recently brought to light, problems identified as contributing factors to baby deaths included overcrowding and lack of resources.

The unit has been plagued by significant deficiencies like the lack of routine supplies such as roller towels or antiseptic sprays. Reports of the Dr George Mukhari Hospital neonatal unit indicate that it is suffering from overcrowding. A full investigation would no doubt bring to light similar problems in many more public hospitals.

I echo Jack Bloom's welcoming of the establishment of the Office of Standards Compliance (OSC). Such a body will hopefully go a long way toward ensuring that preventable deaths are avoided.  In order for the OSC to be effective we make the following recommendations:

• The Office must be fully independent of the Department of Health;
• they must have power of inspection;
• their reports should be published and made available in full to the public;
• they should be able to suggest legislative changes and improvements.

We believe that there needs to be accountability for the deaths of babies in these hospitals, but more importantly, urgent action needs to be taken to improve the quality of neonatal units at public hospitals. An urgent, full and independent investigation that results in recommendations being swiftly carried out by the Department of Health would be a good first step. The Zuma administration should prioritise basic healthcare and commit seriously to meeting its Millennium Development Goals in child and infant mortality.

Statement issued by Mike Waters, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of health, January 25 2011

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