Hospital Deaths in South Africa: Six Infants Die

The shocking news pertaining to the hospital deaths of six infants spread from the land of cricketing geniuses, South Africa, leaving the rest of the world in a state of disbelief. This is particularly so because South Africa is known to have the most developed health care facilities compared to the rest of Africa. The shocking incident took place on May 18, 2010, at the neonatal ward of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital; and the cause for the hospital deaths was diarrhea, which the infants contracted over the weekend.

Hospital Deaths in South Africa: Lapses in Safety Measures are Evident

The question that looms large is about the source of the infection. While parents and first-hand accounts blame it on the unwashed milk bottles, the hospital’s lax hygiene measures, and an outside element that brought the infection into the ward, the hospital authorities are carefully tight-lipped about the entire incident. In fact, a possibility of any or all of these factors cannot be ruled out, since before the incident, any one could have entered the ward without wearing any special scrubs or clothing.

For instance, a reporter was allowed entry into the neonatal ward without even being instructed by the nursing staff to wear sterilized aprons, mask or even wash hands. In fact, this is believed to have been the norm there. To top it, at the time of the outbreak, around 50 babies reportedly occupied the ward, while the permissible limit by law is restricted to 35.

Hospital Deaths in South Africa: Investigations are On, Serious Disciplinary Actions Under Consideration

While investigations are continuing to probe on these hospital deaths in South Africa, samples of blood, stool, food and water are being collected for tests.  Further, any proven act of employee negligence is anticipated to be dealt with serious disciplinary actions.

Another key offshoot of the event is that starting this June, hospital CEOs will have to sign a contract to ensure strict adherence to hygiene standards.  This is expected to bring in some level of accountability in hospitals by the key persons managing them. However, the law needs to be specific and strict on the extent of their liability so that judicial involvement can become more meaningful.

As per the WHO records, South Africa boasts of 46% public spending of total health expenditure (this is quite a respectable figure, given the fact that most African countries do not even keep records of births and deaths).

Facts and figures are sometimes far removed from reality because reality affects human lives more powerfully. Such an irony that institutions that serve to save lives are actually claiming innocent lives!