Berea, Aug. 27 — Berea District Administrator (DA) Mr Jonase Mokete has visited the family of a deceased nursing mother from Peka, Ha-Elese, following concerns surrounding the circumstances of her delivery at Berea Government Hospital.
During the visit, Mokete expressed condolences to the family and said he was deeply saddened by the woman’s untimely death.
The visit follows allegations of malpractice and poor services at Berea Government Hospital, where the deceased was reportedly left to deliver without assistance while experiencing labour pains.
According to the family, the deceased was discharged from the hospital with her healthy baby girl and later went missing, before she was found dead in a river about a month later.
Mr.Mokete said the incident had left the authorities concerned about the quality of services provided at the hospital.
He said health professionals provide an essential service that should be regarded as a calling rather than merely a job, adding that patients deserve compassionate and dignified care.
DA said he had met with the hospital management, which confirmed that two nurses who were on duty during the incident had been suspended pending investigations.
He added that he had requested hospital management to convene another meeting with staff to discuss what transpired and identify measures to improve services at the hospital.
Mokete also assured the family that the authorities would support them during the difficult period, including ensuring that the baby receives formula to support her growth.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s aunt, Mrs Makananelo Khonkhe, who cared for her after she was discharged from hospital, said the deceased had complied with antenatal care requirements throughout her pregnancy.
She said the family was, however, deeply hurt by the treatment she allegedly received at the hospital, claiming that she was left to deliver without assistance after an altercation with nurses.
Mrs. Khonkhe said the family eventually decided to take the deceased home due to concerns about her safety, while they were advised to wait for a doctor to discharge her.
She said after returning home, the deceased began complaining of headaches and experiencing hallucinations, which were followed by panic attacks for three consecutive days before she went missing.
Mrs. Khonkhe said the deceased later left the house in a hurry, claiming that someone was calling her, and did not return.
A search operation was launched the following day, and she was found dead in a river.
When approached for comment, Berea Hospital District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. Mosa Tlahali said she could not discuss details surrounding the alleged unattended delivery, but expressed sadness over what happened.
She confirmed that two nurses who were on duty during the night shift had been suspended pending investigations.
Dr. Tlahali cited staff shortages as one of the major challenges facing the hospital, saying that at the time of the incident, patients from Botha-Bothe and Leribe were also being referred to Berea after services in their wards were disrupted, resulting in an increased workload.
Meanwhile, the family is awaiting the post-mortem report. The deceased is expected to be buried at Peka on September 5.
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