N$1.5 m childbirth injury trial set to resume in June

The lawsuit in which a woman is suing the health ministry for N$1.5 million in damages for injuries she says she sustained during a traumatic childbirth at the Otjiwarongo State Hospital will resume on 23 June.Whitney Snyder (25) is suing the ministry after allegedly dislocating her left hip and fracturing her pelvis in 2019. Her particulars of claim say the trauma of her treatment led to pubic symphysis diastasis – the separation of normally joined pubic bones, as in the dislocation of the bones.Snyder accuses some of the nursing staff of allegedly forcing her legs apart to facilitate the birth, which, according to a specialist, can cause diastasis if done with enough force.In her claim details submitted last year, she further alleges that the nurses physically and verbally assaulted her, including slapping her across the face.Snyder filed the case in February 2022, and on 8 November last year, the High Court appointed specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Godfrey Sichimwa as an expert witness to provide evidence on the medical treatment Snyder received before and after the birth of her son on 16 February 2019.In his report, submitted as part of court documents, Sichimwa explained that Snyder’s complications “could have been avoided if a medical officer had properly monitored her during labour.” He told the court that while future pregnancies are still possible, delivery will have to be done via caesarean section.‘Not cooperating’Dr Biti Phaka was on duty and assisted Snyder during her labour.“A nurse called me to the maternity ward around 20:30 to 21:00, claiming that Snyder was not cooperating with the nurses,” she told the court. When Phaka arrived in the maternity ward, she allegedly pleaded with Snyder to cooperate, emphasising that it was essential for the successful birth of her child. Snyder complied.“She screamed and pulled her legs together, but we supported her as best we could. She eventually gave birth with vaginal and anal tearing, with minimal bleeding. I left the nurses to attend to that,” Phaka testified.In his report, Sichimwa pointed out that when a first-time mother does not cooperate – making it difficult to monitor her or follow medical protocols – a caesarean section can be recommended to reduce the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.– kristien@nmh-hub.com.na

N$1.5 m childbirth injury trial set to resume in June

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

Please login to leave a comment

N$1.5 m childbirth injury trial set to resume in June

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

Please login to leave a comment

Login