Tensions mount over baby’s death

THE Ministry of Health says the recent death of a baby at the Rundu State Hospital was not caused by a power blackout, much to the unhappiness of the affected family.

Health Permanent Secretary Dr Kalumbi Shangula told the media on Tuesday, “If electricity was the culprit, then all of them (three babies born on June 24) could have died.” He was responding to claims by relatives of Beloma Auchumes (27) that the power breakdown was linked to the death of her three-hour-old baby.The baby died allegedly because of exposure to cold and dusty wind during the birth process.Shangula said three babies were born on the same day under the same conditions but the other two were alive.”Facts thus far point to an unnatural death which was supposed to be handled by the Police until a post mortem is conducted to determine the cause of death.This case is currently being investigated,” he said.Earlier this week the chief medical officer of the Rundu State Hospital, Dr Yuri Yangazov, said the death was not due to negligence of staff even though they operated under harsh working conditions.Auchumes’ mother, Agnes, maintained yesterday that her daughter gave birth by candlelight in a hallway with no door, with the procedure taking place in full view of others in the same hall.Although baby Percia was alive and well at birth, she was found dead three hours later by Beloma.Shangula said a nurse on duty found the baby dead while Beloma was asleep.”That alone shows that he was supposed to get both sides of the story before making his statement.She is the one who called the nurses while they were asleep on duty,” Agnes said.She said the family lost a relative and only expected some corrective action for the future but was viewed as troublemakers.”It is not about a smear campaign.We wonder how things can improve if we are treated that way,” Agnes said.Shangula said Auchumes gave a normal vaginal delivery and candles were used as a source of light.”The first baby was delivered at 20h00.The second baby was delivered at 21h00.These babies are all alive and well.The third one by Ms Beloma was delivered at 23h20.The babies were all delivered under the same condition.Baby Beloma was given to the mother like all the other babies, which is the normal practice,” he said.He said the nurse on duty found the baby dead the next morning, while the mother was sleeping.”The death of this baby has no connection whatsoever to lack of electricity,” he said.Agnes said the baby had mucus in the mouth and when the mother raised concern about it, the health personnel said they could not suck it out because there was no electricity.”That could have contributed.What we are saying is that the Ministry need to do a proper investigation instead of just denying it,” she said.The family had since taken the body to Grootfontein for a post mortem before it was buried in Otjiwarongo more than a week ago.Shangula said an investigation on the death was underway.He was responding to claims by relatives of Beloma Auchumes (27) that the power breakdown was linked to the death of her three-hour-old baby.The baby died allegedly because of exposure to cold and dusty wind during the birth process.Shangula said three babies were born on the same day under the same conditions but the other two were alive.”Facts thus far point to an unnatural death which was supposed to be handled by the Police until a post mortem is conducted to determine the cause of death.This case is currently being investigated,” he said.Earlier this week the chief medical officer of the Rundu State Hospital, Dr Yuri Yangazov, said the death was not due to negligence of staff even though they operated under harsh working conditions. Auchumes’ mother, Agnes, maintained yesterday that her daughter gave birth by candlelight in a hallway with no door, with the procedure taking place in full view of others in the same hall.Although baby Percia was alive and well at birth, she was found dead three hours later by Beloma.Shangula said a nurse on duty found the baby dead while Beloma was asleep.”That alone shows that he was supposed to get both sides of the story before making his statement.She is the one who called the nurses while they were asleep on duty,” Agnes said.She said the family lost a relative and only expected some corrective action for the future but was viewed as troublemakers.”It is not about a smear campaign.We wonder how things can improve if we are treated that way,” Agnes said.Shangula said Auchumes gave a normal vaginal delivery and candles were used as a source of light.”The first baby was delivered at 20h00.The second baby was delivered at 21h00.These babies are all alive and well.The third one by Ms Beloma was delivered at 23h20.The babies were all delivered under the same condition.Baby Beloma was given to the mother like all the other babies, which is the normal practice,” he said.He said the nurse on duty found the baby dead the next morning, while the mother was sleeping.”The death of this baby has no connection whatsoever to lack of electricity,” he said.Agnes said the baby had mucus in the mouth and when the mother raised concern about it, the health personnel said they could not suck it out because there was no electricity.”That could have contributed.What we are saying is that the Ministry need to do a proper investigation instead of just denying it,” she said.The family had since taken the body to Grootfontein for a post mortem before it was buried in Otjiwarongo more than a week ago.Shangula said an investigation on the death was underway.