Gauteng public healthcare facilities in crisis?

While some Helen Joseph hospital patients are being turned back without sufficient drugs, some Lenasia South Clinic patients are allegedly dying as security guards deny them entrance into the clinic.

These incidents raise questions about the state of South African hospitals.

A child died at Lenasia South Clinic because security allegedly barred the parents from entering the clinic premises.

Mathipane Letty Sebitso, who lives in the Finetown informal settlement, said she took her three-week-old baby Queen Elizabeth Mashego to the 24-hour clinic on 24 January.

“The child died in her mother’s arms at about 5.35pm after security guards told her that the doctors had left and refused to open the gate for her,” said DA shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom.

According to Bloom, police were called to the scene and, even after the baby had died, the security refused to let them in for nurses to check if the baby was really dead.

“It is completely unacceptable that security guards can deny treatment to anyone.”

An earlier incident that occurred on 7 January has since emerged.

“Steven Motsumi of Lawley has told me that he rushed his five-year-old son Vincent Mabitwa to the clinic on 7 January after an object fell on his head and he was bleeding. The security turned him away, saying that the doctors had left and the nurses told them to only admit pregnant women,” said Bloom.

According to Bloom, Motsumi took his child to the Daxina private clinic where a doctor certified that the child was dead.

Bloom added that this is the second incident this year where a child died after security prevented access to the clinic.

“I have written to Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu to inform her of this second incident and the urgent need to ensure open access to this clinic. Speedy intervention is needed before more people die because of misguided security guards at this clinic.”

Gauteng Health Department is yet to comment on the matter.