KANYAMAZANE – Poppie Nkosi (not her real name) told Mpumalanga News how she was turned away from the hospital gates on August 5.
“I was sick, feeling cold and hot at the same time, besides the fact that I had consulted a doctor the previous
week. My employer advised me to go to the hospital for Covid-19 testing, but I was turned away at the
gate,” she said.
Nkosi said when she arrived at the hospital gate, the security guards asked what she wanted at Rob
Ferreira.
After Nkosi explained to them that she was there to test for Covid-19 because she was not feeling well and had symptoms, they allegedly denied her access to the premises and told her that she will not get help
from the hospital and she must go elsewhere to get tested.
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“The security officer suggested that I must go to Nelspruit Clinic, but that was too far for me as I was weak and couldn’t walk that far. I then went to the nearest private clinic where I was charged R850 for Covid-19 testing,” she said.
Nkosi said the result was sent to her via SMS the following day and the private clinic confirmed that she
had tested positive.
She decided to quarantine herself. Her husband also tested positive and they are both in quarantine at
home. “We bought flu medication including vitamin C and vitamin D supplements and we are treating ourselves from home,” she added.
Dumsani Malamule, spokesperson for the Department of Health, said what happened to Nkosi at the hospital gate was unacceptable.
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“People who show symptoms of Covid-19 can go for a test at any of our health facilities at no cost.
No one can be turned away from a health facility,” he stressed.
Malamule urged anyone who has been turned away from a clinic or hospital to report such to the department on 013-766-3802.
He said the department will investigate Nkosi’s matter. He encouraged her to come forward and officially report it to the department.
“The outcome of our investigation will determine the next action,” he said.
Nkosi said she was currently focusing her energy on her recovery.
