Dad claims R1.5 million after death of wife at hospital

It was with sadness that Mlamu Author Siyatha received the details of how his pregnant wife and child died due to what he claim was gross negligent. A lone figure In the Western Cape High Court yesterday, Siyathe is suing Health MEC Theuns Botha for R1.5 million in damages.

He claims his pregnant wife, Nomglobo, died as a result of gross negligence by the obstetrics unit at the site B Clinic in Khayelitsha. He said the clinic failed to examine her “either properly or at all”, failed to diagnose that the deceased presented with “abruotio placenta” and “failed to make arrangements as a matter of urgency for the delivery of the foetus”, among other things. Nomglobo died on January 30, 2005 from severe blood loss associated with an advanced case of abruption placenta.

Siyatha is suing in his personal capacity , with his eldest daughter. Noluthando Siyatha and hid three minor children. They are also suing a second defendant, Dr I Gilexwa. The defendant has denied negligence, arguing instead that Nomglobo refuses to receive treatment from the nursing staff. They claimed not to be “admitted, nor to be examined, but rather to leave the clinic for private medical care” yesterday, sister Visa Ngcukwana told the court that while she had not seen Nomglogo come into the clinic, she had been told that there was a woman who refuses to get up from the floor.

“I went to speak to her and pleaded with her to get up and go to one of the beds in order for us to (observe her), but she said she did not want to get up”. She did not notice that Nomglogo was pregnant until later. The case continues.