77-year-old patient’s ill-treatment investigated
Relatives of Sarafina Mthalane, who was admitted to the Ngwelezana Hospital at the end of November for a blood disorder, have criticized doctors at the hospital for failing to take good care of her
THE KZN Department of Health is investigating a complaint about the ill treatment of a 77-year-old Ngwelezana family member.
Relatives of Sarafina Mthalane, who was admitted to the Ngwelezana Hospital at the end of November for a blood disorder, have criticized doctors at the hospital for failing to take good care of her.
According to Mthalane’s daughter, Nonhlanhla, doctors at first suspected cancer and waited for results of a
bone marrow test.
‘My mother was supposed to get a pass-out during the festive season so she could spend Christmas with her family after being in hospital for such a long time.
‘It took quite long for her doctor to attend to her, and all of a sudden they told us there was no matching
blood available for her and she would be referred to a blood specialist,’ Nonhlanhla said.
‘Her doctor approved my request for a pass-out and I was told to return her on 6 January, which we did.
‘Three days after being readmitted to the hospital, she was found loitering next to the hospital mortuary at
night.
‘The following day when we visited her, she was complaining about pains. Upon inspection we found bruises on her breast and she couldn’t even lift up her left arm, which was badly swollen.
‘What we need to know is why nurses and security allowed her to leave her ward, especially at night.
The nature of her injuries also appears very suspicious. ‘Since sustaining the injuries, she now has to use diapers. She used to do everything on her own,’said Nonhlanhla, herself a nurse at a Johannesburg hospital.
She said she is now concerned about her mother’s well-being after lodging her complaints.
KZN Department of Health spokesperson, Noluthando Nkosi, said the department is extremely concerned about the allegations and confirmed an internal investigation is under way.
‘The department wishes to reassure the public that the care, well-being and safety of both patients and staff are paramount, and that any staff whose conduct is contrary to procedures or policies will be dealt with decisively.
‘The department will never tolerate the abuse or ill-treatment of patients, said Nkosi.
‘Without pre-empting the outcome of the investigation, the department will not hesitate to take disciplinary
action against the five staff members implicated in this matter, should any or all of them be found guilty.
‘The hospital’s management has contacted the family of the patient and scheduled a meeting.
‘It has also begun a process of improving security at the hospital’s wards to ensure effective control of patient movements, and that all wards are fully compliant with health and safety standards.’
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