In response to a deeply moving and distressing social media video where a young mother shared her traumatic experience when giving birth at Princess Marina Referral Hospital, government has issued an apology.
According to a press release shared on Sunday, the government, through the Ministry of Health, confirmed that they are thoroughly investigating the matter. The ministry also expressed that they have reached out to the patient and will be meeting with her in the coming week. “Though investigations are ongoing, the ministry regrets this unfortunate incident. Good customer service should always be at the core of the ministry’s interactions with all its patients,” the press statement reads. The ministry emphasised that if the allegations against the midwife are substantiated, appropriate action will be taken.
Background of the matter A TikTok user (names withheld) bravely shared her ordeal with her followers. She recounted that she gave birth in mid-May to her son at Princess Marina Hospital. In the video, she explains that her original plan was to give birth at Bamalete Lutheran Hospital in Ramotswa, but because she went into labour earlier than expected, she had to use the nearest facility. The young mother described how she was admitted immediately. As a first-time mother, she was naturally expressing her pain, albeit not loudly. “Out of the blue, the midwife assigned to me came and said I was misbehaving,” she recounted, her voice tinged with disbelief and hurt. Confused, she responded to the midwife, “Sorry?”
The midwife allegedly replied, “Who else do you hear screaming like you are?” The first-time mother tried to explain to the midwife that it was her first time experiencing such profound pain, but the midwife was not empathetic. “Do you think you are special?” the midwife allegedly said. According to the mother, she repeatedly called the midwife to inform her that the baby was coming, but her pleas were ignored. Her worst fears were realised when her baby fell from her body and landed between the iron rods of the bed. “I gave birth alone. My baby boy fell between those iron rods of the bed. Meanwhile, the midwife was seated on a couch adjacent to where I was,” she said, tears streaming down her face.
A doctor eventually appeared and assisted her, providing much-needed reassurance that her son was okay. The young mother also claimed the midwife threatened her, saying, “I will leave you here for dead. I will leave you and then document that you are dead.” Despite the government's outreach, the young mother is calling for justice and accountability, especially after her viral video prompted many other mothers to share similar heart-wrenching experiences at the hospital.