Health dept 'involved in cover-up': Voice

An investigation into the deaths of 22 babies from the klebsiella virus at Durban's Mahatma Gandhi Hospital is "another cover-up", an organisation representing the parents said today. "How can the killers investigate the deaths of babies they have killed?" asked Alvin Brijlal, a spokesperson for the non-profit organisation Voice.

This comes after the health department announced yesterday that a task team has been appointed to review all deaths in neonatal units, including the nurseries and intensive care, at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital over the last three years. "They haven't provide the names of the people on the task team. It should be a team of independents so that we can get to the bottom of this tragedy. If there was a cover-up before how do we know there won't be a cover-up now?" Brijlal said.

The health department said its investigation will include "all allegations of outbreaks. A preliminary report will be available as a matter of urgency and a full report will follow as soon as possible thereafter."

The statement came as Voice and Kessie Naidu, its legal team of advocate, and Rajesh Heerallal, attorney, prepare to take legal action against the health department. Today, Brijlal said he had blood reports, which showed there was a klebsiella outbreak at the hospital in 2003. "At least 48 babies died of neonatal ICU infections during January and May 2003," said Brijlal.

Voice is still considering claims for damages and pressing criminal charges.

The investigating team
The health department task team comprised experts in paediatrics and/or neonatal care, medical microbiology, infection control and pharmacy. The team will have the power to co-opt other members if necessary. The department said every death in a public hospital is reviewed and investigated as normal practice. "This enables the department to improve the quality of care and is standard practice in health delivery and care of patients."

The department said the task team is expected to report within two weeks, and will work with another team that is reviewing infection control and current practices throughout the department. The department said it had already implemented the recommendations in the report of a more narrowly focused investigation into klebsiella infections at Mahatma Gandhi hospital.

The report was released by Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the health minister, earlier this month. All hospitals in the province are implementing the recommendations of the report and reviewing their practices where necessary in order to reduce any further outbreaks of infection, the department added. - Sapa