DA requests probe into pregnant migrants forced to pay bribes

The DA alleges that foreign mothers-to-be are being belittled and forced to pay bribes for access to birthing facilities and assistance.

The DA says it will be requesting an investigation into the alleged abuse of pregnant migrants at a government hospital in Gauteng.

DA TO APPROACH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AND HEALTH OMBUD

In a statement, the party says it will request both the Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate allegations that foreign mothers-to-be are being belittled and forced to pay bribes for access to birthing facilities and assistance at the Tambo Memorial Hospital in Gauteng.

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“According to CityPress foreign nationals are also effectively being held hostage as nurses refuse to discharge mothers and babies until they have been paid.”

DA

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OPPOSITION PARTY AGAINST THE DISCRIMINATION OF PREGNANT FOREIGNERS AND CHILDREN

“There also seems to be discrimination against foreign nationals regarding their birth records,” the party said, adding that this despite a recent Gauteng High Court order confirming the constitutional right to free health care for all pregnant and lactating women and children under six, irrespective of their nationality or documentation status.

OVERSIGHT TO BE ACTIONED BY THE PARTY

“The fact that foreign nationals continue to struggle with access to health care, particularly in Gauteng, is callous and immoral, and should not be tolerated.
The DA expects all personnel found to be complicit in this scam to be disciplined. We will conduct an oversight to the hospital to ensure that this corrupt practice has been halted immediately,” the party vowed.

This is a developing story. An update will be published as and when new information has been made available.

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