The Gauteng Department of health has confirmed a Klebsiella Pneumonia Outbreak at the Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus, Gauteng.
Professor Mkhululi Lukhele who’s the Head of Department paid a visit to the hospital to assess the situation following the outbreak and the protests that took place recently from the employees of the facility.
Mkhuhluli confirmed that the hospital’s neonatal unit indentified seven cases of Klebsiella Pneumonia outbreak in July 2018, which resulted in the deaths of two babies.
What seems to be contrary is that there were five babies that were being treated and out of the five? Only one of the baby’s results were negative, according the Gauteng Department of Health statement.
The statement released, explains that samples were taken to the laboratory to try find the cause to the outbreak. However, the hospital has since taken protective measures by strengthening infection prevention and control and closely monitoring the unit.
"All babies that were admitted in the ward were screened to prevent further infections. Furthermore, District Specialist and Head Office were called in for support. The Department is planning to form a provincial task team led by a neonatologist to continuously look at the measures to prevent possible future infections in all our facilities,” said Professor Lukhele.
Problems in the health care sector still remain a problem with many cases going unresolved, often leading to protests or poor health services complaints by patients who are treated. One case was at the Charlotte Maxele hospital in Johannesburg which started referring patients to other hospitals for operations, to try reduce the number of patients who were on the waiting list to go for operations.
“Thelle Mogoerane Hospital like many other health facilities in the province is faced with the challenge of ever increasing demand for services. The 61-bedded neonatal unit often admits close to 90 patients. Whilst the management is looking at improving the hospital infrastructure it is doing its utmost best to serve patients with honor and dignity,” said Lukhele.
“Patient care and delivery of quality health care service remain our key priority, to this end, we are working closely with all stakeholders in ensuring that this facility indeed serve the community", added the HOD.
"All complaints and concerns brought to us are thoroughly followed through. I have also noted the allegations leveled against some of the facility management team. I would like to assure the workers and members of the public that the management team will be subjected to the Department’s labour policies and procedures. No stone will be left unturned in our investigations,” he concluded.
