A NEW Germany woman is seeking answers from the Department of Health on the day-to-day running of state hospitals as well as the well-being of patients who do not have medical aid and are suffering terminal diseases?
Jennifer Konigkramer said her family had the most apalling experience at R K Khan Hospital recently.
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She had been taking her husband, Charles, to the hospital for the last six months for chest pains, massive weight loss, among other symptoms, however the doctors at the hospital always told him he wasn’t a serious case and sent him home with antibiotics.
“Their negligence, lack of compassion, blatant disrespect and disregard of human rights needs to be urgently addressed,” said Konigkramer.
After going back and forth to RK Khan on eight different recorded occasions and sitting a minimum of six hours a day (one occasion was 13 hours), Charles’s health deteriorated.
He suffered a heart attack (as per the doctor’s report), and died on 6 February.
She said her husband, aged 68, was healthy and fit until January. He began to lose weight slowly since December, but February sparked their family’s concern when he suddenly lost 20kgs.
She said he had a prostate problem that was never diagnosed. He never knew he had cancer, but every time he visited the hospital, he was told he had the flu.
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She said he last visited RK Khan Hospital on Saturday, 3 February as he complained of chest pains and coughed uncontrollably, but was told by the doctor on duty that “he was not an emergency case and we should take him home.”
“He was dying and never knew it. He had no drip, no oxygen or pain medication was administered, all of which he desperately needed. Not even a bed for him to lie on, he had to sit in a wheelchair during his time at RK Khan hospital,” said Konigkramer.
Test results lost
Despite these life threatening signs they sent him home with antibiotics and Panado.
Jennifer said the hospital lost Charle’s file and test results on a number of occasions, and the tests had to be re-done.
“On one occasion, a nurse in casualty told him that he is dying, he has cancer and they cannot help him. No compassion. But we never got an official diagnosis,” said Konigkramer.
He got really ill on 5 February. Jennifer rushed him to her local GP at Medicross who said he had prostate cancer and he needed to be taken to Hospice.
Konigkramer said she spoke to a nursing sister named Joy at Highway Hospice who said their seven beds were taken. But Charles had to be registered first and a nurse had to visit the home to assess the situation before they could help him.
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She then rushed him to Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. The nurses admitted Charles and put him on a drip. He was scheduled to undergo surgery the next day, but sadly died of a heart attack.
“I have the file from RK Khan and I am no medical doctor, but it is pretty obvious according to the file that he needed to be admitted urgently. Why was there no urgency in treating a critically ill person? Some of the results should have been reason for concern. I am traumatised by this experience. I was made to helplessly watch my husband die,” said Konigkramer.
Hospice responds
Linda Webb, chief executive officer at Highway Hospice, said Jennifer Konigkramer called Hospice on 6 February and spoke to Sister Joy regarding her husband, Charles. She was looking for admission as he was seriously ill with prostate cancer.
“We stated that we would be more than happy to assist, but required a referral confirming diagnosis and it was further explained to Jennifer the reason for a confirmed diagnosis is to enable our doctors and nursing sisters to make informed decisions with regards to her husband’s care. We also offered that she could call us at any time should she require any further assistance pending the receipt of the referral from the diagnosing doctor or hospital. Legally Hospice cannot treat a patient without a confirmed diagnosis,” said Webb.
She added that Hospice’s intention is to do good and not harm and unfortunately, without a referral, they were unable to treat the patient.
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“We offer our deepest condolences to Jennifer for the loss of her beloved husband,” said Webb.
Department of Health
Konigkramer forwarded a letter of complaint to the Department of Health to notify them of the state of the hospitals. Penny Dladla responded to her on behalf of TP Msimango, the chief director of eThekwini Health District and said: “First let me express my sincere condolences on the loss of your dear husband, and hope that you will find comfort in the memories of the times you spent together. For me to be able to help you, please provide your telephonic contact details so that my secretary can contact you to set up an appointment with you.”
Konigkramer replied with her contact details but never received a response from the department.
Highway Mail also attempted to get a response from the department but to no avail.
Healthcare facilities has deteriorated
The DA KZN spokesman on health, Dr Imran Keeka, MPL, said the general state of almost all healthcare facilities has deteriorated. He said there are massive budgetary constraints and mismanagement at several levels that is having the devastating effect as is seen in this case.
“The specific concern raised by this patient’s wife is shocking. This woman must reserve her legal right and as soon as I have the details, I will write to the department in the hope that we will receive a response.
“There has to be accountability in the interest of the people that walk through the doors of our healthcare facilities. Enough is enough,” said Dr Keeka.
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