Disciplinary action is to be instituted against a staffer who swapped newly born babies at a hospital in Ekurhuleni. The incident took place at the Tambo Memorial Hospital in Boksburg last month.
Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana told Gauteng News a baby girl was swapped with a baby boy.She said disciplinary proceedings against the employee concerned will take place. They will be charged with negligence.
According to the hospital, the identification of these babies and procedure for discharge were not properly followed.
“The two babies were born on 24 July 2020. A mother who delivered a baby girl, realised at 9pm that her baby had been swapped with a boy when changing a napkin. The hospital had to reach out to both families in other to resolve the matter. Both parents were interviewed by Head of Department and sister in charge. They also got counseling from the hospital”, said Kekana.
Kekana said the matter was referred to Social Welfare to facilitate DNA testing of the babies per request from one of the fathers.
“DNA testing took place on 4 August 2020 and both babies are currently admitted at the hospital waiting for the results. The hospital will continuously involve both families as part of the redress process”.
