Health Ministry sued P6 million for baby's death

The Ministry of Health is being sued for over P6 million by a woman who lost her baby two months after giving birth.According to court documents seen by this publication, the plaintiff had taken her infant to a government hospital in Selibe Phikwe for a routine monthly weighing and assessment.Upon arrival, she was informed that the baby was due for compulsory immunisation. The child was injected as advised by the nurses, but a few hours later at home, the infant appeared unwell.Alarmed, the mother rushed the child to the nearest clinic, another government health facility.At the clinic, nurses observed that the child was struggling to breathe and appeared to be in distress.However, the infant was not given any medication and was instead referred back to Selibe Phikwe Hospital.There, medical staff noted symptoms of nasal flaring, severe chest in-drawing, and no drainage, ultimately concluding that the child was suffering from severe pneumonia.The mother alleges that despite this diagnosis, her baby was not prescribed any emergency medication in accordance with the Botswana treatment guidelines.Tragically, the child later died, and doctors recorded the cause of death as bleeding diathesis and hepatitis, allegedly vaccine-induced.A post-mortem examination revealed that the infant had succumbed to pulmonary thromboembolism, which the report suggested was consistent with medication the child did not receive.In light of these circumstances, the grieving mother is demanding compensation amounting to P4 million for the wrongful loss of her child, P2 million for emotional and mental shock, and P45,000 for funeral expenses.The court papers reveal that since the loss of her child, the plaintiff has endured severe emotional suffering.She claims to have lost her peace of mind, haunted by nightmares and recurring dreams about her baby. She has lost significant weight and was suspended from work for some time as she struggled to cope with the tragedy.At her lowest, she became suicidal and was placed on antidepressants. She has also undergone extensive counseling, including through church pastors and traditional interventions, yet continues to battle the trauma.The plaintiff has lost trust in the public health system. She insists that she was never informed that vaccination could carry fatal risks, and accuses the nurses of neglect for failing to administer proper emergency protocols when they saw her child reacting adversely to the vaccine.Court documents indicate that the Ministry of Health, represented by the Attorney General, intends to oppose the claim, while on the other hand, the plaintiff is pleading with the court to grant her the draft order.The case is scheduled to proceed in Gaborone in August 2026.

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Health Ministry sued P6 million for baby's death