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Johannesburg – A postmortem report has revealed that 32-year-old expectant mother, Miriam Singh, who died within an hour of being admitted at a health facility in Westbury had a “serious underlying condition”
Singh died at the Westbury Clinic Midwifery Obstetric Unit on Sunday, (29 December 2024). The Gauteng Department of Health, which instituted an investigation into the highly publicised tragedy, stated on Thursday, (2 January 2025), that it has since “received the outcome of the internal investigation which was also subjected to expert review by leading specialists in obstetrics/gynecology and surgery from Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital”.
The department added: “The internal report found that the correct protocols were followed by the healthcare workers in attendance.
“The postmortem report has revealed that the patient had a serious underlying condition which contributed to the deterioration of their condition within a short space of time after presenting at our health facility.”
The department said that given doctor-patient confidentiality it was unable to expatiate further the actual medical condition of the patient.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Westbury residents protested outside the Westbury Clinic Midwifery Obstetric Unit where they demanded answers from staff as to what had happened to Singh, whose husband said he had walked with her to the medical facility.
“The investigating officer from the South African Police Service earlier today handed over the postmortem report to the Singh family,” the department said. “Having said this, the Gauteng Department of Health has noted with disappointment the malicious allegations which were prematurely made on public platforms by various interested parties which were not based on any clinical fact but hearsay.
“This is not only irresponsible behaviour it is also unethical and unfortunately compounds the pain experienced by the grieving family as they now have to contend with misinformation about the condition of their loved one which can make it even harder to accept clinical facts.
“The Department extends the deepest condolences to the Singh family for the sudden loss and will continue to avail counselling services and redress as and when the family is available.”
*This article first appeared in TheBulrushes.
