The death of one of the kids reportedly exchanged at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, according to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, has nothing to do with the claims.
Two underage parents are said to have given birth at the hospital, and their babies were switched at the nursery by accident. Staff allegedly gathered DNA samples and later informed one of the parents who had already gone home with ‘her baby’ that the infant who died in the hospital nursery was undoubtedly hers.
THE FAMILY WAS ASKED TO RETURN THE BABY TO THE HOSPITAL.
According to reports, one of the Umlazi moms was told that the baby that died in the hospital had to be hers despite the fact that no DNA tests had been performed.
To protect the identity of the underage parent, one of the grandparents, whose name we will not reveal, said they were requested to return the baby after 5 days because the hospital feared they had been exchanged by mistake.
Because the parents gave birth in two separate wards one hour apart, Hlongwane said they want to know how the kids were exchanged.
COMMENTS FROM THE KZN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON ALLEGED BABY SWITCHING
The Department stated that the incident had been investigated and that disciplinary action had been taken against the employees involved. It is also said to be handled with caution, sensitivity, and respect, especially because both parents are under the age of 18.
Mdu Ncalane, a spokesman for KZN Health, said that while the Department is forbidden by law from publicly disclosing sensitive clinical information, Prince Mshiyeni Hospital management is in constant contact with the affected families and is available to answer any questions.
“We can also point out that the hospital has offered counselling to both parties, but this was delayed due to their need to focus on their studies as they were busy with academic examinations.
“The results of the first DNA tests were communicated with both mothers and their families. On request by the mother of the deceased baby, we have conducted a second DNA test, the results of which are due on the 21st June 2022.”
Mdu Ncalane