Limpopo hospital in spotlight after patient dies

MOKOPANE – An 48-year-old woman has died in Mokopane Hospital after her broken leg was not operated on for weeks.

Langa Bodlani, DA Limpopo Spokesperson on Health, said the DA will write to the Health Ombudsman, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, requesting him to urgently investigate the circumstances that led to the death of Granny Madikwe.

Bodlani said Madikwe passed away on 18 May after she was left with no medical help at the Voortrekker Hospital.

“Madikwe was hit by a taxi and suffered a fracture to her left leg and hip on 29 March. She was admitted to Voortrekker Hospital in Mokopane and was left lying in her hospital bed for weeks, with no medical help or a possible date for her surgery and sought the DA’s intervention.”

Bodlani said the DA immediately intervened by contacting the Head of the Health Department in Limpopo, Dr Ntsie Kgaphole, who on more than one occasions promised to attend to the matter.

“However, when I went to visit Madikwe on 17 April, she had still not received any medical help.

“The doctor I spoke to told me that he was extremely concerned that the longer she was kept without the necessary care, her bones would be healing although not in their natural alignment. This meant that if she was to be operated eventually, she would have her bone broken again in order to align it properly.”

Madikwe was transferred to Mokopane Hospital on 9 May after a seven-week period.

“She underwent surgery at Mokopane Hospital on 16 May. Two days later, on 18 May, Madikwe sadly passed away, Bodlani stated.

“Madikwe had no history of other ailments. Had she been treated timeously and been given the necessary medication, she would still have been alive today.

“She leaves behind a husband, two children and a granddaughter.

“Madikwe’s ordeal at the hands of the hospital and her subsequent passing is grossly uncaring, negligent and cruel.

“The Limpopo Health Department must bow its head in shame. I will not rest until I have received confirmation from the Health Ombud that he will be investigating this tragedy.

“I also call on the Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, to publicly account for what happened here.”

Neil Shikwambana, Director of Communications and Spokesperson of Limpopo Department of Health says: “The delay in operation was caused by two reasons.

“At first assessment the patient was examined and found that she had ailments which might threaten the success of her surgery and those ailments needed to be treated first before she could go into surgery.

“Secondly, we have a very limited number of orthopaedic surgeons in the province.

“At Voortrekker Hospital where the patient was initially admitted to, patients who need such operations are referred to Mokopane Hospital.

“Due to this shortage of orthopedic surgeons, patients who after assessment are found to be of low risk are put on the waiting list to be operated as was the case with the patient in question.

“While awaiting to be operated, she was kept within the hospital care and seen by doctors on a regular basis. She finally got operated on the 16 May, unfortunately she passed on two days later.”

redakteur.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za