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A MIDWIFE from Kafue General Hospital (KGH) on Thursday narrated to the court how the baby that was allegedly stolen at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) was born at KGH and later referred to UTH because of the complication he and the mother had.
Poliana Nhema told the court that the mother to the baby, Madalitso Banda, lost her consciousness during her operation to give birth to the baby who was allegedly stolen from UTH.
Nhema was testifying in a matter in which five female suspects, among them a Judiciary employee and University Teaching Hospital staff, pleaded not guilty to one count of child stealing and harbouring of a child.
In this matter, Precious Nkunika,28, an employee of the Judiciary, Nelly Kasalo,41, and Emily Hall, both Nutrition demonstrators at UTH, Rebecca Mkandawire, 42, a maid at the hospital and Grace Siska are charged with child stealing contrary to section 171(1) of the penal code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Ms. Nhema testified that she accompanied the mother of the baby while her workmate accompanied the baby as they were both referred to UTH by the doctor who referred them.
She said during continued trial before Lusaka magistrate, Chrispin Hampungani that on May 21, 2022 she was in the ward doing her night shift at KGH which started at 18:00 hours.
She said on the material day 19:30 hours she came into contact with Banda who was in labour and attended to her. “She came in with a labour complication and as mid wife I had to attend to her. After I got her history I realized she had two previous caesarian sections which meant that she had to undergo an operation,” she said.
Ms. Nhema further stated that she called the medical doctor on duty who examined the patient and ordered for an emergency caesarian section for Banda.
The baby had a mild burn asphyxia and she resuscitated and took it to neonatal ICU and after taking the baby she went back to the maternity ward and was later informed that Banda’s condition had deteriorated and hence she was supposed to be referred to UTH,” she said.
She said the ambulance was called and they left for UTH together with the baby and Banda.
And Ikachana Namangolwa, a Registered nurse at UTH, narrated how she received the baby from the nurse with all his details and that the baby was weighing 3.2 kg.
However, during cross examination, the witness broke down after the defense Lawyers took her through some tough questions.
When asked whether she knew anything about the baby who went missing she said no.
Trial continues.
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