Gauteng DSD: Abandoned toddler allegedly denied help by Ekurhuleni child welfare centre receiving palliative care

The Gauteng Department of Social Development has confirmed that an abandoned toddler who was allegedly denied help by a child welfare centre in Ekurhuleni is currently receiving palliative care.

This, after the non-profit coalition of organisations, Baby Savers South Africa, released a statement condemning the department for an alleged order prohibiting the sick 20-month-old child from receiving help after she was dropped off at a Tree of Hope baby box by her mother in August.

ALSO READ: Social Development investigating Ekurhuleni Child Welfare for denying care to abandoned toddler

The organisation claimed that Edenvale Child Welfare refused to provide aid to baby Nandi due to an ongoing battle over the legality of baby boxes.

While the department said the baby boxes are illegal, it said it will probe whether there was any misconduct when baby Nandi was allegedly denied care y the Edenvale Child Welfare.

Director for children’s services Yvonne Deonarian said, “We learned that baby Nandi is at a facility, which is a step-down facility for palliative care. We also learned that baby Nandi is in a registered and funded palliative care facility funded by the Department of Health. We also learned that baby Nandi is receiving all the medical care that she requires in the palliative care facility.”

Meanwhile, member of Tree of Hope Baby Saver, Lanie le Roux, said that baby Nandi would not have been in the state she is in if she had received help earlier.

“It seems like her sudden deterioration was very bad and that it can't be turned over or stopped or that surgery is gonna make a difference at all. So, I think surgery is off the table for now. Our little girl suffered because of a directive that DSD gave.”