Two KwaZulu-Natal nurses have been suspended after they allegedly ignored a woman in labour, News24 reports KZN Health said. The woman eventually lost her child. "The nurses were placed on special leave on Sunday, and they received letters notifying them of their suspension pending the finalisation of a formal investigation," KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu is quoted in the report as saying.
The MEC said the nurses based at St Mary's Hospital in Durban allegedly ignored the woman and told her to let them know when the baby was born. "The woman, who was eventually assisted with the birth by other patients in the ward, reportedly had her pleas for help ignored.” The premature baby died on Saturday around eight hours after being placed in an incubator after being born on Friday.
According to the report, Simelane-Zulu said the mistreatment of patients would not be tolerated and warned health officials to adhere to their prescribed oaths. She urged healthcare workers to do better for the public. "It is the job of healthcare professionals to provide care, support and overall nursing so that people who come to us because they have nowhere to go, can overcome whatever ailment they are suffering from."
Simelane-Zulu said what occurred at the hospital "goes against everything that this administration stands for".
[link url="https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/kzn-nurses-suspended-for-allegedly-ignoring-woman-in-labour-20200218"]Full News24 report[/link]