Christof Maletsky
15 April 2008
Windhoek — The Nursing Council of Namibia says it has no authority to deal with a compensation claim by a mother whose daughter lost her womb through alleged negligence by staff at the Windhoek Central Hospital's maternity ward in 2003.
The mother has stated that she is suing the Ministry of Health for N$20 million after her 20-year-old daughter gave birth to a normal baby but had her womb removed due to complications. Cornelius Weyulu of the Nursing Council told The Namibian yesterday that they were only able to deal with the case at professional level and suggested that the mother lodge a civil suit if she wants payment.
"We can only investigate unprofessional conduct. Therefore, we requested her to identify the specific practitioners but she hasn't done so," Weyulu said. Her daughter gave birth on March 13 2003 and bled excessively, which led to an enlarged heart, kidney failure and an infection in her uterus because part of the placenta had not been expelled.
Weyulu said the mother was apparently more interested in the N$20 million claim than in the professional conduct of the health personnel and thus a civil case was more suitable.
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