DA welcomes Gauteng Health’s commitment to obese patients
450kg man finally gets hospital care.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the commitment of Gauteng Health Department to ensure that equipment is available to cope with patients like Corrie La Grange, who weighs 450kg because of Ascites, which causes fluid build-up around vital organs.
The promise follows concerns around equipment after it emerged that the 450kg man had been turned away from at least 10 hospitals that could not cater for his size.
Jack Bloom Gauteng Shadow Health MEC said, “ We commend the heroic action by paramedics and the community to lift him from his Edenvale home using ropes, and transporting his bed to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital in a trailer.
“It is unfortunate that he suffered for more than three months after being turned away by both private and public hospitals.”
“I encourage the public to use the Premier’s complaints hotline at 086 001 1000 in order to bring attention to problems like this at an early stage.”
“The hospital will fast-track the procurement of equipment including beds to accommodate patients of Le Grange’s size,” said health department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
Mabona said they will not encounter any future problems like resorting to makeshift plans to accommodate patients.
“The move was risky because of his weight and poor vitals.
“His bed was transported to the hospital in a trailer.
“We will ensure his bed will be returned to the family and all the necessary infrastructure for the patient will be fully provided by the hospital,” he said.
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