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Burnt-alive mom: Dept blamed
03/09/2006 20:24 - (SA)
Cape Town - Independent Democrats president Patricia de Lille says the health department is to blame for the death of a pregnant 18-year-old after her bed caught fire in Madwaleni Hospital in Elliotdale in the Eastern Cape.
She said: "There is nothing at play here but complete and utter negligence on the part of the department of health.
"The ID is calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the barbaric death of this girl.
"If anyone is found to have been negligent they must face criminal charges.
"If staff shortages are responsible, the government and minister of health are to blame.
'They've admitted negligence'
"They must then take full responsibility for this unnecessary death of a woman and her unborn baby.
"The fact that the department offered R5 000 for this woman's life shows that they admit to their negligence - and just how little value they place on a human life," said De Lille.
"I have said it before and I will say it again: hospitals are meant to heal people, and not bring about their untimely death."
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