First babies delivered at new hospital
MELOMED Richards Bay officially opened its doors to the public on Monday – and with it’s opening came three new arrivals.
Melanie Vorster, Nomfundo Zondo and Princess Thusi were the first three patients at the hospital who all successfully gave birth to healthy babies under the watchful eye of the Melomed team, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Dr Jayeshnee Moodley supported by Dr Volkert Wever and Dr Shaakira Dawood.
First to give birth, Melanie’s healthy baby boy, Rudie, weighed in at 3.1kgs, while Nomfundo’s baby girl, Nqubeko weighed in at 2.8kgs.
Princess was the last mother to give birth on the day to a healthy baby boy, Nkambisenhle Iminathi Siyalo, who weighed in at 3.4kgs.
Coincidently, Melanie, Nomfundo and Princess were all already mothers of two and gave birth to their third child on the same day.
Princess, whose husband Khulekani had to catch a flight from Johannesburg to witness the birth of his son, said she was nervous at first.
‘Everything went well, I was a bit scared because it was the first time I had a Caesarean section done, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
‘The staff made it easy and were friendly and calm during the entire delivery process,’ she said.
Meanwhile Nomfundo told the Eyethu Bay Watch that she had a great experience.
‘It was very quick and everyone was interacting with me and made it a really pleasurable,’ she said.
Melomed Hospital Manager, Randal Pedro, was very
pleased to hear about the hospital’s first and new editions.
‘We are extremely excited that finally our big day has arrived and we can now be of service to the community.
‘Our aim and objective is to deliver quality, affordable medical care to all thus ensuring that the healthcare platform is transformed in this area ensuring that healthcare services are right on the community’s doorstep,’ he said.
Pedro also noted that Melomed are in talks with the KZN Department of Transport (DoT) in addressing the matter of traffic lights at the John Ross Eco Junction intersection, where the hospital is situated.
‘We, together with our professional team and the developers, are currently in consultation with the KZN DOT and we were informed that a meeting was held earlier today between the landlord and the uMhlathuze Municipality together with KZN DOT to resolve the matter,’ he said.