**Lesotho Mother Files R8.8 Million Claim Against Two Hospitals Over Child’s Cerebral Palsy**
*Maseru, Lesotho –* A mother has taken legal action against Makoanyane Military Hospital and Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital, seeking R8.8 million in damages for alleged medical negligence that she says resulted in her infant’s cerebral palsy and severe developmental delays.
The plaintiff, identified in court documents as **Maseromo Nthako**, filed a civil suit naming the two hospitals, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Matsoanelo Monyobi, the Ministry of Health, and the Attorney General, Advocate Rapelang Motsieloa, as respondents.
**Timeline of events**
– **November 2022:** Nthako became pregnant.
– **9 July 2023:** At 36 weeks gestation, she presented to Makoanyane Military Hospital with lower‑abdominal pain. She was admitted at approximately 10:20 a.m., examined with a scanner, and informed that she was 1.5 cm dilated and that the fetus weighed about 2.6 kg.
– **Later that day:** Nthako was told she would undergo a Caesarean section because of a previous Caesarean scar. She reports receiving the labour‑inducing drug Cytotec and being transferred to the labour ward at about 1:46 p.m., where she was attended by Dr Maphosana, registered nurse Letsoara, and anaesthetist Motebang.
– **Delivery:** The birth lasted roughly two hours and 40 minutes. Nthako says she remained conscious under anaesthesia and was alarmed when the newborn did not cry immediately. She was not informed of any immediate danger to the baby.
– **Post‑delivery:** Dr Bulane was called to assess the newborn and identified low blood‑sugar levels. The infant was subsequently referred to Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital. Nthako remained at Makoanyane and joined her child at Queen ‘Mamohato the following day, 10 July, around noon. She alleges that no referral letter accompanied the transfer, requiring the receiving hospital to conduct its own assessment.
– **Subsequent care:** While admitted at Queen ‘Mamohato, the child experienced seizures and required continuous oxygen therapy for about three weeks. Nthako reports that the infant’s development was markedly delayed, with difficulties in feeding, motor coordination, balance, speech, and the emergence of spasticity.
**Medical opinions**
After discharge, Nthako sought further evaluation at Mediclinic Bloemfontein. A review of the child’s medical records and examination led to a diagnosis of oxygen deprivation at birth, resulting in brain injury and a risk of cerebral palsy.
**Allegations of negligence**
In her filing, Nthako alleges that:
– Hospital staff failed to properly assess her and the fetus before delivery and did not determine whether a Caesarean section at that stage was medically appropriate.
– Makoanyane Medical personnel inadequately monitored both mother and fetus, did not assess blood‑sugar levels promptly, delayed the Caesarean section, and did not intervene timely after birth.
– More than 30 minutes elapsed before Dr Bulane examined the newborn, during which time the infant’s condition was not addressed.
– The hospital did not provide adequate treatment, monitoring, or management of the newborn before referral, and failed to supply a referral note detailing the infant’s condition to Queen ‘Mamohato.
**Financial impact**
Nthako contends that the child’s condition has imposed a substantial financial burden on her family, citing ongoing costs for diapers, medical supplements, specialised medication, a caregiver, physiotherapy, and mobility equipment such as a wheelchair and standing frames. She also notes that she has had to miss work to attend to the child’s medical needs, raising concerns about job security.
**Damages sought**
The claim seeks a total of R8.8 million, broken down as follows:
– R2 million in general damages for negligence
– R1.5 million for pain and suffering
– R1 million for loss of amenities of life
– R4 million for past, present and future medical expenses
– R4 million for special schooling, feeding and caretaker expenses
– R300 000 for medico‑legal reports
Nthako states that she has made a lawful demand for settlement, which the respondents have not addressed, and asks the court to hold the hospitals and associated officials liable for the alleged negligence.
**Court proceedings**
The case is pending before the Lesotho courts. No response from the hospitals or the Ministry of Health has been
Article and image source: lestimes.com
