Bulawayo hospital baby swap scandal findings to be made public

The investigation into the distressing case of the baby swap at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) is still ongoing, with the Government promising full transparency and the eventual publication of its findings.

The incident, which caused widespread concern and distress, prompted the Ministry of Health and Child Care to conduct a thorough review of procedures at the hospital. The public now awaits the outcome of the investigation with keen interest.

Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, speaking after a tour of UBH last Thursday, assured the nation that the ministry is handling the matter with diligence and will leave no stone unturned. He acknowledged that while the families involved have been reunited, such incidents are unacceptable and must never happen again.

"That matter is still under investigation, but I can assure the nation that the findings will be made public. If charges are to be brought against anyone found guilty, they will be. And if it is proven that it was simply a mistake without ill intent, the public will also be informed. It must be clear that this matter will not be swept under the carpet," Deputy Minister Kwidini said.

The deputy minister did not confirm whether the nurse involved is still working or has been suspended during the investigation. However, a source revealed that hospital authorities initially downplayed the incident until it was reported by Chronicle.

"This was a closed chapter until you guys started making noise about it. This is why even the Provincial Medical Director (PMD) was not aware of the incident. How can such a matter not be reported to the authorities? If you keep a close eye on what happens at the hospital, you will be shocked," the source said.

The case came to light late last year when a postpartum mother, who had given birth to a baby boy, was shocked to receive a baby girl from a nurse on duty. The young mother, suspicious of the mix-up, resorted to DNA testing at a private laboratory in the city centre and at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) to prove her concerns that the baby girl was not hers.

The nurse had insisted that her child was a girl and suggested that the anaesthesia from her Caesarean section may have caused confusion. However, the woman remained adamant, recalling that another expectant mother had been in the same ward just before she went into theatre. That woman had since been discharged and had returned to her home in Esigodini, Matabeleland South.

The mother's family supported her suspicions, particularly since an ultrasound scan from the previous day had confirmed she was expecting a boy. Determined to get to the truth, the woman sought DNA testing, which confirmed that the baby girl she had been given was not hers.

Outraged, the family returned to UBH, demanding answers and the return of their biological son. Hospital staff were forced to locate the other mother, and a hospital vehicle was dispatched to retrieve her. However, her husband refused to cooperate, insisting that the child in their care was theirs. The police were called in, and the couple was taken to Bulawayo for further verification.

At the insistence of the aggrieved family, the hospital engaged NUST for further DNA testing. The results unequivocally confirmed that the babies had been exchanged.

As the investigation continues, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has assured the nation that any responsible parties will be held accountable, while also working to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.