Number of abandoned babies in Gauteng hospitals decreases

Pretoria – The Gauteng Department of Health has noted a significant decrease in the number of babies abandoned in its hospitals.

According to the department, currently there are only 10 babies in various hospitals waiting to be claimed, a big difference when compared to the previous years.

“Last year, there were 130 abandoned babies in hospitals throughout the province and 127 the previous year and 88 from January to August this year.

Among 10 unclaimed babies, three are at Tembisa Hospital while Bertha Gxowa, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child, Pholosong, Carletonville, Tambo Memorial, Odi and Kopanong hospitals have one each.

There are no children currently unaccounted for in hospitals within the Tshwane Health District. Last year, there were 16 babies abandoned in hospitals in the Tshwane Health District and 18 the year before.

Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo said that in the past, HIV transmission was a big factor in the number of abandoned babies, but with the success of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme, the number of abandoned babies is declining.

“About 98% of babies born from HIV positive mothers in the province do not show signs of infection when tested at six weeks. Educational talks and leaflets are provided in prenatal clinics to empower mothers about different options such as voluntary foster care/adoption in cases of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies,” said Papo.

He added that most of the abandoned children were born prematurely. All children are placed with child welfare organisations after all efforts to trace their parents have failed.

Eskom bill paid for Natalspruit Hospital

Meanwhile, Papo announced that the department has paid all outstanding monies owed to Eskom for the supply of power to the new Natalspruit Hospital.

Papo told the provincial legislature on Tuesday that the delay in payments led to interruptions for 24 days in the current financial year and no significant losses were incurred during the interruptions.

“During the interruptions, uninterrupted power supply units that have batteries ran down and due to poor lighting at night, the contractor had to increase security measures to secure the building and ensure safety of equipment,” Papo said.

The bill for electricity at Natalspruit Hospital was R127 812 34 and R463 841 19 for Zola/Jabulani Hospital, where there have been no interruptions.

Papo assured the community that there would not be major delays in the completion and official openings of both hospitals.

He added that this issue and other problems related to continuing late payment of contractors are currently being attended to by the two Heads of Departments, Health and Infrastructure Development to ensure smooth running of the projects. – SAnews.gov.za