Klebsiella families to receive legal assistance
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it will support the families of the babies who died due to the Klebsiella pneumonia outbreak at an East Rand hospital.
"We want answers," says the human rights watchdog.
A team of lawyers and officials will conduct an inspection at the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus, where six new born babies died last week.
The outbreak has been attributed to extreme overcrowding of the facility's neonatal unit.
SAHRC provincial manager Buang Jones says they found evidence that the right to access to health care has been violated by the Gauteng health department.
"We will provide legal support to the families of the deceased babies should they want to take legal action against the department of health," confirmed Jones.
The Commission has now requested the ohspital to hand over its plans to combat the outbreak.
11 babies contracted the antibiotic-resistant bacteria since July.
"Our role is to secure appropriate redress for victims of human rights violations. In this instance, the families of the deceased babies."