Clinic accused of sending woman home with dead baby

Motetema Clinic outside Groblersdal in Limpopo has come under fire after disturbing allegations that a woman was forced to go home with a dead baby.

According to a report by the SABC, Violet Muthoto had accompanied her seven-month pregnant friend Joyce Sithole to the clinic after the latter went into labour while at home.

The decision to go to the clinic was made after an ambulance failed to arrive after being called.

Disturbing allegations made against Motetema Clinic 

Sithole delivered twins, and one was certified dead on arrival, while the other died in hospital.

Muthoto recounted the ordeal.

“I was there when she delivered two babies. Their condition was not satisfactory and we feared that one of them was not alive. We asked a motorist to take us to the clinic. When we arrived there, nurses certified one baby dead and took him to a room. They then called an ambulance.”

Violet Muthoto

According to Muthoto, while the mother and the surviving baby were being transported to the hospital, the nurses at Motetema Clinic handed her the deceased twin for her to take home.

“The ambulance arrived and took Sithole and her living baby to hospital. Before leaving, she was told to sign some papers so the umbilical cord could be left at the clinic. Afterwards, another nurse wrapped the body in blankets and then gave it to me. I was confused but I had no choice. I’m still traumatised by the incident.”

Violet Muthoto

An investigation into the alleged incident has been launched, according to the Limpopo health department.

“When the mother went to hospital with the other twin, the nurses at the clinic allegedly gave the deceased twin to the next-of-kin or the person who had accompanied the mother to the clinic, to take home with, instead of calling the forensic unit of our department to come and collect the remains of that particular kid,” department spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana said. “It is an allegation that we got from the complainant and our team there at the district is currently investigating.”

Neil Shikhwambana