“My water broke on Sunday, and still, an ambulance could not assist me.”
The lack of emergency medical services resulted in Ruwyda Caitlin Owies (24), from Rioolwal, tragically losing another baby. Her first child had passed away from pneumonia at just three months old. Owies, still in shock, shared that she had a foreboding feeling over the weekend that something was going to go wrong. The excitement of expecting a baby turned into a lifelong nightmare.
“On Sunday afternoon, January 26th at around 2:30 PM, my water broke for the first time. I panicked and tried calling an ambulance, but the line was busy.”
By 4:00 PM, she arranged for a private ride to Vioolsdrift, 10 km away. From there, the police contacted the ambulance service in Springbok, which is approximately 120 km from Rooiwal. However, according to Owies, the paramedics had to attend to three other locations before they could get to her.
“I then went to the home of the clinic nurse in Vioolsdrift and told her I was in labor. She informed me that she does not work on weekends and that the clinic was closed.
“She advised me to return home to Rooiwal and wait for the ambulance.”
The expectant mother waited for hours, but no help arrived. By 10:00 PM that night, she gave birth at home, but the baby was stillborn.
The police eventually arrived and called the ambulance again. According to reports, the Vioolsdrift police then contacted forensics in Springbok, located 110 km away. Forensic officers retrieved the baby’s remains at 2:30 AM on Monday morning.
Two hours later, at 4:15 AM, the ambulance finally arrived at Owies’ home and transported her to Springbok Hospital.
Ringo Isaacs, a friend and activist supporting Owies, expressed his outrage, saying he had done everything he could to assist the young mother, but it was in vain.
“The Department of Health needs to take drastic action. This baby could have survived if oxygen had been provided and the nurse had been willing to assist. We demand answers.”
Lulu Mxekezo, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, conveyed their deepest condolences to the grieving Owies family.
“We are investigating the incident and will keep the family informed of any developments.”
