Cell phone birth claims ‘pure lies’, says Limpopo health dept
The Department of Health in Limpopo has dismissed allegations by the Democratic
Alliance (DA) that the Mookgopong Health Centre is in shambles, describing it as “irresponsible
electioneering".
The DA claims that women at the centre are being forced to give birth under cell phone torchlights, and that the suction machine, sonar and foetal monitors are dysfunctional.
It also claims the centre has no incubators for new-born babies.
According to the opposition party, the crisis at the health centre has led to the deaths of at least three babies.
Provincial health spokesperson Neil Shikhwambana maintains the allegations are “pure lies”.
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"When they visit our facilities they do so under the guise of oversite and it is quite unfortunate that the privilege is being utilised irresponsibly for election purposes," Shikwambana says.
He adds that no children were born under a torchlight nor have any died.
"There are only two mothers in the recent past who had to be transferred to hospital after they complicated," Shikwambana says.
Shikwambana says the DA is spreading false information as a way to garner votes ahead of next year’s elections.