29 November 2007

The IFP Women’s Brigade has expressed concern about the way the management of Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, which is the site of the latest outbreak of Klebsiella, tried to prevent the mothers who have lost babies to the infection from speaking to the media. 

“We sincerely hope this was not an attempt on the part of the management of Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital to compromise the transparency of the ongoing investigation. The IFPWB believes the outbreak of Klebsiella at the hospital is a matter of public interest,” said IFPWB chairperson and IFP leader in eThekwini Metro, Councillor Thembi Nzuza. 

The IFPWB was equally taken aback by the Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s remarks aired on SABC isiZulu news last night. “The Minister may well have been reciting the departmental policy when she committed the hospital to covering the victims’ burial costs but her general unfeeling attitude surely was a cold shower to the women who have just lost their babies,” said Cllr Nzuza. 

The IFPWB recalls how last year the IFP as the Official Opposition in the province followed closely a similar investigation of a Klebsiella outbreak at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Phoenix. “We have no doubt the IFP will scrutinise the conduct of the Department of Health during this investigation with the welfare of the bereaved mothers in mind,” said Cllr Nzuza. 

According to a senior KwaZulu Natal health official, five babies have so far died in an outbreak of Klebsiella at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, one of the busiest hospitals in the province. 

Contact:
Cllr Thembi Nzuza
083 682 6702