Chatsworth paramedic saves mother and newborn after 3-hour wait for State ambulance

A CHATSWORTH paramedic became a hero when he delivered a baby at a Bayview home after the mother waited three hours for a State ambulance that never arrived.

The woman, who had been misdiagnosed with a cyst instead of pregnancy at a local clinic, received life-saving assistance from Claude Subramodey of Amawele Emergency Services who responded within minutes of being called.

Subramodey said he received multiple calls for assistance from security companies at around 9:30am yesterday, asking for assistance to transport a woman in labour to hospital.

He said when he arrived at the woman’s house in Bayview less than 10 minutes later, the woman was in the process of giving birth in her bedroom.

“I was at our offices in Bayview when I got the calls for help. When we got to the woman’s house, she had already begun giving birth and we assisted her to deliver the baby.

“I cut the umbilical cord. The woman told us that she did not know that she was pregnant, and had visited the clinic on multiple occasions, but nurses told her that she had a cyst.

“She said she fell ill yesterday, and she realised that she was in labour when her water broke,” he said.

“She waited for over three hours for a State ambulance, and when they did not arrive, neighbours notified security officers who put a call-out for a private ambulance,” Subramodey added.

He said the baby and mother were stabilised before they were transported to RK Khan Hospital.

This is the eighth baby that Subramodey delivered since he began working in emergency services 10 years ago.

“It feels amazing delivering a baby and knowing that I was instrumental in saving a mother and baby.

“I pray that the baby will be healthy and well taken care of. I have formed a bond with the baby, helped the mum with toiletries and clothes. She did not have anything for the baby because she did not know that she was pregnant. I am proud to be a part of this happy story,” he said.

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