9 month old baby dies on first day at crèche in South Africa
A nine month old boy has died attending his first day of crèche in Umganu Circle in Zwelisha, North of Durban in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
The toddler was pronounced dead on Tuesday afternoon, July 18, 2023.
A caregiver contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) after they discovered the infant unresponsive in a bed.
RUSA Medics were immediately dispatched and on arrival discovered a large crowd gathered in the yard.
The child was naked and wrapped in a blanket.
Medics examined the minor and discovered that he showed no signs of life.
According to the owner of the establishment, the boy was enrolled at the crèche on Tuesday morning.
He allegedly fell asleep while being fed lunch.
Caregivers discovered him unresponsive approximately four hours later when they conducted a wellness check.
Circumstances leading up to his death are yet to be established.
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, has called for a thorough investigation into the death of the toddler.
Khoza says this incident highlights the need for stringent regulations and standards in childcare centres to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
Khoza says the loss of such a young life is an unimaginable tragedy and parents should have peace of mind when leaving their children in the hands of professionals.
She said the caregivers need to be held accountable for the part they played as the death of the infant happened under their in daycare centres.
She added that the family deserves to know what happened.
Meanwhile, a team of social workers has been dispatched to provide psycho-social support to the family who lost their child.