Caroline Makata and the father of her kids, Hendrick Matlou, blame the Limpopo Health Department for their unborn son’s death.
The mother of two from Marapong outside Lephalale in Limpopo immediately called an ambulance. But there was no ambulance available at Ellisras Hospital to fetch her.
Caroline said minutes after calling for an ambulance at Ellisras Hospital, they called back to say all their ambulances were attending to an accident scene and advised her to find alternative transport, which she did.
“When I got to the hospital the doctor checked me and the baby was alive.
“I was then told that there were no incubators and that I would be transferred to Mankweng Hospital, over 240km away.
“But there were no ambulances,” said Caroline.
She told Daily Sun she waited more than nine hours during which she received medication to delay labour until the ambulance finally arrived at about 5pm.
“My baby’s heart was still beating. I was shocked when the ambulance first transported the other patient in the ambulance to Mokopane Hospital – in the opposite direction to Mankweng.”
Upon arrival at Mankweng she was told her premature baby had died. She blames the Limpopo Health Department and Ellisras Hospital for her son’s death.
“It’s painful to lose a baby after carrying it for so long, especially when those who are supposed to save lives don’t care.
“My baby would still be alive if our local hospital had incubators or if the ambulances were available to take me to Mankweng as soon as I got there,” she added.
Limpopo health spokesman Thabiso Teffo said they have since launched an internal investigation into the matter.
“Our policy is that our patients come first and we will be in touch with Caroline to find out what happened and give feedback,” said Teffo
