Woman dies while in labour

A CHINHOYI family is demanding an inquest into the mysterious death of their relative during labour at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital last week.

The family claims that their relative Getrude Malunga (nee Mugadami) and her unborn child both died due to negligence by medical personnel on duty on that particular day.

Malunga, who was 35, died in labour during delivery of her fourth child.

Family spokesperson Tapera Mutovido alleged his sister died due to excessive bleeding and had screamed for help, but the midwives on duty had acted negligently and ignored her distress calls.

"This is a serious case of negligence and as a family we are demanding a full explanation regarding this matter. We want answers and our wish is to have the culprits arrested, prosecuted and brought to book," the deceased's brother Mutovido said.

He alleged his late sister had been in labour for several hours and it had become apparent she would not have a normal delivery.

This, he said, was discovered after an X-ray which was done at the behest of a doctor who had noticed the complexity of the pregnancy amid reports the foetus was tied around its neck by the umbilical cord.

"The only thing that could have saved both the mother and child was a Caesarean section. It baffles the mind why they didn't operate on her on time, she could have survived together with her child," a distraught Mutovido said.

Hospital medical superintendent Collet Mawire confirmed the family had approached his office seeking an explanation, but he had told them to write a formal complaint.Mawire said it was standard procedure to conduct investigations whenever there was a case of maternal death.

"It is the norm to have investigations in such cases. As we speak, we are in the process of getting to the bottom of the matter. All staff on duty are expected to write reports and I will only be privy as to what really transpired when I get those reports by Thursday (tomorrow)," Mawire said.

Mawire said contrary to claims of negligence by the family, four doctors, two anaesthetists and midwives had rushed to the labour ward to try and save the patient.