AN EAST London law firm representing an Mdantsane woman who gave birth while running to a delivery bed in Cecelia Makiwane Hospital is demanding j ust over R2-million in damages from Eastern Cape health MEC Sicelo Gqobana.
S N Jiba Attorneys sent a notice of intention to institute legal proceedings to the MEC’s office yesterday.
They are demanding that R2.05- million be paid to them within 30 days on receipt of the notice.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo yesterday said he was unable to confirm whether the MEC had received the notice or not.
The demand follows an incident on Saturday morning where Philasanda Aplom, 30, was allegedly made to run in a Cecilia Makiwane Hospital delivery ward while giving birth to her baby.
It is alleged the baby fell and hit its head on the floor. The baby was declared dead moments later by nurses.
“Our client (Aplom) was placed in imminent danger, had to endure the trauma of seeing her unborn child falling from the birth canal to the floor, which by means of reasonable care expected from nurses and members of the medical profession, that incident would not have occurred,” read the notice.
The attorneys said the MEC should pay Aplom:
l R500000 for general damages;
l R1-million for pain and suffering;
l R500000 for shock; and
l R50000 for funeral expenses.
The law firm said it would issue summons against Gqobana if he failed to adhere to their demands.
Kupelo said they would fight the “opportunistic” lawsuit in court.
“This issue is being investigated and any litigation will be defended in court,” he said.
“We are aware that people are being touted to file law suits against the department .”
Kupelo said the provincial department was in talks with the national department “to develop a policy that would prevent lawyers from milking the department,” he said. —
Mom’s R2m claim over baby
S N Jiba Attorneys sent a notice of intention to institute legal proceedings to the MEC’s office yesterday.
They are demanding that R2.05- million be paid to them within 30 days on receipt of the notice.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo yesterday said he was unable to confirm whether the MEC had received the notice or not.
The demand follows an incident on Saturday morning where Philasanda Aplom, 30, was allegedly made to run in a Cecilia Makiwane Hospital delivery ward while giving birth to her baby.
It is alleged the baby fell and hit its head on the floor. The baby was declared dead moments later by nurses.
“Our client (Aplom) was placed in imminent danger, had to endure the trauma of seeing her unborn child falling from the birth canal to the floor, which by means of reasonable care expected from nurses and members of the medical profession, that incident would not have occurred,” read the notice.
The attorneys said the MEC should pay Aplom:
l R500000 for general damages;
l R1-million for pain and suffering;
l R500000 for shock; and
l R50000 for funeral expenses.
The law firm said it would issue summons against Gqobana if he failed to adhere to their demands.
Kupelo said they would fight the “opportunistic” lawsuit in court.
“This issue is being investigated and any litigation will be defended in court,” he said.
“We are aware that people are being touted to file law suits against the department .”
Kupelo said the provincial department was in talks with the national department “to develop a policy that would prevent lawyers from milking the department,” he said. —
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos