Pictures of newborn babies in boxes, circulating on social media, have sparked concerns, with many slamming the North West Health Department.
Yesterday (Friday) morning the Northwest Times revealed that Health MEC, Madoda Sambatha, launched an investigation into this, as the babies were reportedly placed in boxes instead of cribs in Mahikeng Provincial Hospital.
Build One South Africa Leader (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, also commented about conditions at the hospital.
“What the North West Government is doing is cruel and inhumane. How can they place newborn babies into boxes at the Mafikeng Provincial Hospital?
“They have looted all the money for public healthcare and now babies are suffering. Bushy Maape must resign for this,” said Maimane
According to Jacaranda FM, Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, said this was the first time the department experienced such a situation, and assured the public they would institute further investigations.
Lekgethwane said arrangements were under way to provide additional cribs to the hospital.
"As a matter of urgency, arrangements are being made for additional cribs to be immediately sent to the hospital from a facility that has more. The CEO is following up on the procurement process which is under way in the hospital for additional incubators and cribs.”