A pregnant woman and her unborn baby have died after she allegedly fell from a first-floor window at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus.

The incident occurred on 4 November, prompting concerns from the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), which has called for accountability and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that a serious patient safety incident had occurred at the hospital, involving a pregnant woman who later died.

Pregnant Patient Allegedly Fell From Hospital Window

Nehawu branch secretary Brammer Ramogayane, who was on duty when the incident occurred, said the woman had been admitted to ward 17 more than a week earlier.

Ramogayane alleged that the patient was epileptic and had displayed signs of a psychiatric condition that were not recorded in her medical file. He said she was a few weeks pregnant.

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According to Ramogayane, the woman went to a bathroom shared by wards 17 and 4 at approximately 8am on 4 November.

She allegedly walked past the security office before entering the staff bathroom, where she fell through a window to the ground floor.

Ramogayane claimed there was no security monitoring at the entrance and that the window did not have burglar bars.

“The woman was rushed to the hospital’s casualty department for emergency medical attention,” he said.

Nehawu Calls For Accountability After Patient’s Death

Nehawu expressed concern about the incident and called for accountability, saying it hoped the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death would be properly investigated.

The union’s concerns include the alleged lack of security monitoring and the absence of burglar bars on the window through which the woman reportedly fell.

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However, the circumstances surrounding the incident and the patient’s clinical management have not yet been established through the department’s investigation.

Gauteng Health Launches Investigation

Mabona confirmed that the department had launched an investigation into the incident.

“The department takes all patient safety incidents extremely seriously and, as such, we have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident,” he said.

Asked about the medical assistance provided to the woman and her unborn baby, as well as the circumstances surrounding their deaths, Mabona said details of the patient’s clinical management and medical interventions were confidential.

“Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” Mabona said.

The department has not provided further details about the investigation or its findings.