Family calls for accountability after patient was forced to give birth inside the toilet

Diphagane

A pregnant woman has narrowly escaped death when she was allegedly force to give birth inside the toilet at ST Rita’s hospital in Clen Cowie. Incident happened at about 6 pm on 28 February 2020.

Cathrine Tsoma (17) alleges that she was assaulted, offended by harsh words and neglected at infirmary by nurses when she delivers her first child.

According to Cathrine, carelessness by nurse worker left her with no choice but to see her innocent baby grabbling on a floor in the toilet.

“I am still shocked how the nurse treated me. No one deserves discrimination,” said Cathrine.

“I was beaten up unconscious for no reason by someone who was assisting me. I had screamed for more than 30 minutes inside the toilet seeking for help but no one assisted me until my child forcefully fell on the floor,” she said.

For that reason, Cathrine said she was attacked and labelled as a stupid young lady who fallen pregnant early.  

She believes the nurse failed to comply with patients’ rights.

“She was rude and heartless when she took us inside the toilet to the labour ward after delivering my baby. A person of profession acted irresponsible over poor me. I didn’t have energy but she forced me to take my innocent child on a floor,” explained Cathrine.

“Can you believe it, I was told people like me do abortions,” she adds.

During the doctors’ check-ups, Cathrine told the doctor that she was manhandled by nurse.

“Doctor expressed his disappointment and asked nurse to apologise but she denied. Instead nurse accused me of attempted to kill my own child,” she explained.

 Accused nurse has being described as an arrogant dark skinned lady with long hair who likely to apply make-ups daily.

“I arrived at about 9 am at infirmary and I was admitted. Nurses instructed me alert them whenever I feel pains. However when I report nurse told me to relax without checking me,” Cathrine explained.

“I have to live with this trauma now. I felt I was nearly to give birth but nurse undermined me,” said Cathrine.

She said the nurse shouted saying she don’t have to teach them their job.

“I felt disrespected. I felt a needy of going to toilet, nurse gave me direction without bothering to accompany me,” said mother of one

She said she felt dizzy when arrived in the toilet.

“I heard my baby crying and I screamed louder looking for help. Unfortunately my baby forcefully fallen down to the floor,” she explained.

“A bystander who was also coming to the toilet rushed to the nurses to call them. When nurse arrive there she firstly assaulted me,” said Cathrine.

She believes her rights were infringed by careless nurse.

Cathrine’s mother, Johanna Tsoma said she was devastated how her child was treated. Mother of six children said should anyone found guilty must account.

“I regret to send my child there. She is not copying well now. They violated my child rights,” said Johanna.

Johanna felt the matter deserve to be treated with seriousness.

“I attempted to lay compliant to management but I was denied that access to do so. They knew that they did unpleasant things to my child,’ said Johanna.

Johanna said she was scared for safety of her child while she was in hospital.

“I was relieved when I heard that my child was being discharged. But I was unhappy at same time because of ill-treatment,” she said.

She adds: “You may think this is a movie but is what Cathrine had gone through,”

She said accused nurse never gave them prescriptions.

Tsoma’s family later laid complaint via cellphone with management and they were told that internal investigations would be conducted.

Provincial spokesperson for health department, Neil Shikwambana said his department was not aware about the matter.

Shikwambana requested full details of the patient and promise that the department will investigate the matter.

Sekhukhune Times went to see Cathrine and her baby were not fine due to trauma they suffered.