Hospital slammed for turning away raped girl

“Negligent” and “unbelievable” is how NGOs describe the treatment a four-year-old rape victim received from Paarl Hospital.

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Cape Town - “Negligent” and “unbelievable” are how NGOs Mosaic and Childline describe the treatment a four-year-old rape victim received from Paarl Hospital last week

The girl’s mother said she discovered the child had been raped by a fellow resident at the informal settlement where they live.

The police was called and when the detective called the hospital, he was told the mother should bring the child only the next day. The provincial health department has since apologised.

“A child should never be shown away or denied treatment,” said Childline social worker Nomfundo Majola, who deemed it “negligent”.

The mother said she received no information as to her child’s condition or instructions on how to use the drugs prescribed, especially one which had to be administered by injection.

“I have never heard of an instance of a prescription requiring an injection. Medication prescribed is normally pills and I am deeply concerned for this poor child,” said Majola.

Mosaic executive director Sharmala Ishwarlall, who provides court support and prevention services to women and youth in disadvantaged communities, said she found the situation unbelievable.

“Paarl Hospital should have a Tutuzela Care Centre (TTC) in place to avoid such an incident as the child would have been helped immediately. There is currently huge debate regarding the lack of this model, its funding and how it is underrated.

TTCs are centres on hospital premises and provide care and counselling for rape victims. Each centre has a social worker and a doctor on duty and assist police in their investigations.

“There are only 37 hospitals that implement TTCs in the country and half has had their funding cut,” said Ishwarlall.

Western Cape Department of Health spokesperson Mark van den Heever said children under the age of five were given preferential treatment and information is verbally communicated to the parents.

“The injectable was specifically requested for the parent to bring back to the hospital for intramuscular administration by a nurse,” said Van den Heever.

Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said she was shocked and appalled at the treatment the rape victim and the mother received. “This coming Wednesday (tomorrow) I will be visiting the child’s family and also call an urgent meeting with hospital’s management,” said Mbombo.

Mosaic can be reached on 021 761 7585 and Childline at 08000 55 555.

Cape Times