Off-duty paramedic helps woman deliver baby at Moutsiya Mall
Dennilton
Dorah Kotelo, an EMS Station Manager at Philadelphia Hospital in Dennilton was hailed as a hero after assisting a woman to deliver a healthy baby in the bathrooms of Moutsiya Mall in the morning of Tuesday 3 October.
Kotelo was on her way to work when she decided to stop at Moutsiye Mall KFC for a quick breakfast. On arrival, she was immediately called to the female bathrooms where she found a woman in labour and she quickly went back to her car and grabbed the jump bag, and started to assess the patient and discovered that the woman had greatly progressed.
On the spot, she used her pre-hospital ILS capabilities and successfully delivered a healthy baby. Then called an ambulance for transportation to hospitals for further management.
Limpopo Health Department MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has sent a congratulatory message on behalf of the department, to our newly appointed EMS Station Manager for knowing and understanding what it means to be a healthcare professional.
Ramathuba appreciated the professionalism demonstrated by the employee and how highly skilled the public servants are.
She however, equally reiterated her concerns regarding the increase in number of Born Before Arrivals (BBA), which she said puts the lives of both the mother and baby at risk
“Kotelo is amongst those of our employees who remain our pride. One sleeps peacefully whenever I hear of their good acts of humanity. We continue to call all pregnant women to attend Ante Natal Clinic (ANC) and follow instructions as given by their midwives,” she said.
Ramathuba indicated that every pregnant woman should be informed of their Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) and advised not to travel during those days.
“We are also advising that when labour pains starts, let us not say we wait until they are severe by then it might be too late. Our main concern is that tomorrow there won’t be any Mme Dora who is skilled to can deliver a Breech Presentation or if it is a baby with large head circumference. Our health and that of our unborn children, remains our responsibility as women,” said Ramathuba.
