As previously reported by Bloemfontein Courant, baby Junior was declared dead, only to be found alive and well at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital days after his birth. This left parents Kebaotse Phupha and Boitumelo Kgabale overwhelmed and distraught.
Following the article released by the publication, the Department of Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, further mentioned on the day of publication that there were two patients with similar surnames, pronounced similarly but written differently.
According to Mvambi, the complainant, Kebaoetse Phupha, delivered a live child who was taken to the Neonatal High Care Unit for further management whilst the second patient with a similar surname delivered a stillborn.
“The psychologist’s referral letter of the second patient, whose baby had died as a stillborn, was wrongly inserted among the records of Kebaoetse Phupha, whose baby was alive.
Then all mothers who had lost their babies, including both Kebaoetse and the second patient, were accompanied to the psychologist for counselling,” Mvambi further mentioned.
Mvambi concluded by adding that the investigation was conducted and the root cause of the mishap was identified.
A redress meeting was held on 13 May 2024 to explain to the family what has happened and an apology was extended. The baby stayed at the hospital until 31 May 2024 and discharged home in a healthy state.
Although an apology was extended by the department, Junior’s father was unhappy by how everything transpired and felt that an apology would not suffice.
According to the parents, there were no visible similarities between the two patients. “Kebaotse’s name and surname did not sound similar to the lady who lost her child,” Kgabale added.
According to the parents, the lady had already arrived with a stillborn, so they were confused as to how such a mistake could be made. The parents provided a referral letter that stated that Kebaotse was the “wrong patient”.
Abigail Visagie
