DNA tests confirm newborns given to wrong mothers after Caesarean sections at United Bulawayo Hospitals.
A mother’s instinct led to the discovery of a baby-swapping incident at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), where two newborns were mistakenly exchanged following their births.
The Cowdray Park mother, who had confirmed she was expecting a boy through ultrasound, raised concerns when nurses handed her a baby girl after her Caesarean section. Hospital staff initially dismissed her worries, blaming anesthesia for her confusion.
Private DNA testing, costing $220, confirmed the mother’s suspicions. The tests revealed that her biological son had been given to another family from Esigodini, who had received her daughter.
Dr. Zephania Dlamini of NUST’s Applied Genetics Testing Centre verified the swap through additional DNA analysis. The incident has highlighted serious concerns about procedures at the hospital.
Medical expert Dr. Solwayo Ngwenya called it a “devastating error,” while cultural expert Richard Ndebele warned of disruptions to traditional birth rites. Hospital officials have declined to comment, citing patient confidentiality.
The case has sparked demands for stricter protocols in public hospitals and raised questions about healthcare safety for families unable to afford DNA testing.