Family devastated by death of uMhlanga boy (8)

IT is every parent’s worse nightmare, losing a child. But uMhlanga dad, Malcolm Govender’s, world came crashing down around him no more than 24 hours after Father’s Day. In the early hours of last Monday morning, Govender had to rush his eight-year-old son, Ethan Govender, to the emergency room after he spiked a dangerous fever.

The former Glenashley Junior Primary School pupil had contracted chicken pox and developed complications. He died later that afternoon. According to Govender, Ethan developed a fever on the Sunday evening, which spiked dangerously on Monday last week at around 1am.

“We immediately rushed him to the emergency room at Netcare Umhlanga Hospital, and doctors tried to break the fever, but nothing seemed to help. By 10am he became delirious and did not want us touching him. By 4pm he was gone,” said the devastated father.

Doctors had told Govender that due to the fever, young Ethan had developed an infection, which eventually shut down his internal organs. Govender confirmed that Ethan had been immunised against the disease.

“We did everything we were supposed to do. We took him to the doctor after he got chicken pox, made sure he took his medicine and immediately rushed him to the hospital when his symptoms became dangerous. What could we have done to prevent this?” he asked.

“He was an angel of a child. I was blessed to have him as a son. I feel like my heart was ripped out. A part of me has been taken away,” said an emotional Govender.

Ethan loved soccer and athletics and was looking forward to playing hockey for his school. His funeral was held on Thursday. At the time of publication, the provincial Department of Health had not replied to our request for comment.

The Northglen News team sends its deepest condolences to the family.

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