A Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital security guard has saved the day after he helped two mothers reunite with their newborn babies within hours. The babies were given to two mothers who were not biologically theirs.  

 NOTICING DIFFERENT NAME TAGS 

According to the department of health statement, on Monday 17 April, a woman gave birth to a child and on Tuesday 18 April when it was time to go home, she was discharged with the wrong baby. It's all thanks to the security guard who noticed that the name tags on the mother and baby did not match. "The security guard immediately alerted the nursing staff who revealed that the team that was on duty did not follow the correct procedures in discharging a mother and child from hospital," read the statement.The department said the matter was further investigated and the woman who left with the wrong baby was fetched from her home within hours together with the baby. She was later handed her rightful child.

NEW MOTHERS RECEIVING COUNSELLING 

The Department said both mothers and their families were receiving trauma counselling after the incident. Although the incident was contained within a couple of hours the 31-year-old mother who is still admitted at the hospital did not take the matter well. The MEC for Health Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has commended the security guard for being alert. "We thank security for containing a situation that could have turned out much worse. We apologize to both families for the inconvenience. The department will take steps to correct this kind of negligence and prevent it from happening again," she said. She said DNA tests will also be performed on both mothers and children.