Tragic loss – Bromhof baby passes away due to load-shedding

Yesterday, tragedy struck as a Bromhof baby died because of load shedding, and her grieving mother is pointing the blame squarely at Eskom.

Three-year-old Neyamiah James tragically passed away in her mother’s arms on May 25, as the family rushed to the hospital after the inverter powering Neyamiah’s breathing machine ran out of charge. While the baby girl had a backup cylinder for oxygen, she was experiencing difficulties with it.

“In the early hours of the morning, during load shedding, I tried to nebulise her with a backup battery-operated nebuliser which I had just gotten the day before. It brought her some comfort, and she seemed stable,” recalled Sunera, Neyamiah’s mother.

“At around 4:15 a.m., the power was restored, and we put her back on the concentrator. She was fine, and then suddenly, at exactly 8:00 a.m., we were plunged into darkness again for maintenance. She started struggling again, and my husband and I rushed her to the hospital. Tragically, she passed away in my arms on the way. The oxygen cylinder was running low, and the refill wouldn’t arrive in time.”

Also read: Deepening Electricity Crisis Looms as South Africa Braces for Chilling Winter

Neyamiah suffered from a rare neurodevelopmental disorder known as Woree Syndrome, which includes drug-resistant epilepsy and global developmental delay.

Expressing her frustration, Sunera lamented that in 2023, people still have to endure such challenging circumstances. “Nothing will bring my daughter back. The damage and PTSD caused by Eskom and load shedding will haunt us forever.”

Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau extended his deepest condolences to the grieving family. “Having recently lost a daughter myself, this pain cuts even deeper,” he said. “I will take this unfathomable failure by our government to the highest level.”

The Randburg Sun sent enquiries to Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena and City Power media liaison Phiwe Busi on May 25. Both promised to provide comments as soon as possible.

Source: Bromhof baby dies as a result of load-shedding

Also read:

Johannesburg’s load schedule gets overhaul – businesses to be excluded from power cuts

Picture:  Unsplash / Sincerely Media

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