Hospital’s alleged neglect cost man his life
A 64-year-old man suffering from cancer died after allegedly not receiving the proper medical attention he needed.
A man suffering from throat cancer died a painful death early this morning, 22 May, after allegedly not receiving proper medical care from the Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital.
A 64-year-old man from Krugersdorp West was admitted to the hospital yesterday just after 6pm as soon his wife realised that he is bleeding profusely from an open wound in his throat.
A family member said the bleeding started when the dressing was taken off in order for his wife to clean the wound so that she could place a fresh dressing over the wound.
“Blood ran from his throat – it really looked as if someone is slaughtering an ox at the slaughter house.”
She said the medical personnel at the hospital allegedly did not help the man as they should have since he was admitted.
“We had to run around the hospital in a chaotic state for assistance, even asking to get him onto a bed. All this happened while blood was still flowing from his throat,” the family member said.
Apparently when a doctor attended to him, family members were told he would be lucky if he lived to Sunday.
“A drip was administered and he was given a bed eventually of which he fell off twice.”
He was receiving medical care from the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital since cancer was diagnosed more than a year ago.
“We are saddened and angry, because we feel the hospital could have done much more for him.”
Puseletso Mabidikame, spokesperson for the hospital said in a statement that the patient was admitted to casualty but that he was not of the hospital’s level of care because of his medical condition.
“On arrival he was immediately attended to and all necessary medical intervention was applied to stabilise him. Arrangements were made to transfer him back to the tertiary Institution.”
She said Dr. Yusuf Dadoo hospital is a Level 1 hospital.
“That means the doctors in this institution are the general practitioners. Specialised care is, however, available at regional and tertiary institutions but specialised care is, however, still available at regional and tertiary institutions.”
Mabidikame said the hospital received no formal complaint.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 435 3799.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Roodepoort Record and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
