Residents from Glen View suburb in Harare are mobilising signatures to petition Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume after a woman from the suburb gave birth in a toilet at Glen View poly clinic due to negligence by health personnel at the institution.
Esthina Swaba gave birth in a toilet at the clinic on Tuesday the 27th of September 2022 after health care workers on duty refused to attend to her when she was in labour and referred her to Harare Hospital citing that the clinic’s policy does not allow attending to pregnant women who will be giving birth for the fifth time.
It is further alleged that the nurse on duty withheld the woman’s maternal health card for unspecified reasons despite referring the woman to Harare Hospital.
In their petition the residents have highlighted violation of human rights which speak to the right to life, right to personal dignity among other rights as enshrined in the country’s constitution.
“Therefore, the residents demand the Harare Mayor to: make a mandatory policy for all the health personnel on duty to wear name tags/staff badges for easy identification and to improve complaint reporting mechanism. Direct the Health Director to publicize the Patients Charter including sharing digital posters of the charter and hang posters of the charter at all council clinics, and offices.
“Inform the Director of Health to effect disciplinary measures on the nurse/health personnel who ill-treated Ms Swaba and if possible remove her from Glen View Poly Clinic, and take responsibility of any damages and cost incurred during giving birth caused by negligence of their health personnel. Increase budget allocation and fiscal commitment towards maternal health care provision in the 2023 Council Budget, and make maternal health a priority in the year 2023.
“Put maternal health provision on the agenda of the upcoming Full Council Meeting or call for a Special Council Meeting to discuss the Status of Maternal Health Care Provision in the City and come up with recommendations. Set up an Investigation Committee in terms of Section 100 of the Urban Councils Act 29:15 on the Status of Maternal Health Provision in the City of Harare, considering the continued reports of negligence, corruption and poor maternal provision in Council health centres across the city.” read the petition
