Hospital releases patient death report

NGWELEZANA Hospital denied allegations of patient neglect regarding the death of Pedasi Mthembu (80), who passed away in March after allegedly being sent home by a hospital doctor.

In March, the Zululand Observer published the story of Mkhulu Pedasi Mthembu who lived at Jabulane Rehab Centre, who, when he became sick, was taken to Ngwelezana Hospital for medical help.

When he got there he was allegedly made to wait for the doctor for almost 24 hours. When the doctor finally arrived the following morning, he didn’t even touch the old man, but simply looked at his file and then told him to go back home. Sadly, just after the old man arrived back at Jabulane, he passed away.

Ngwelezana Hospital responds

After almost two full months after the passing of Mthembu, Ngwelezana Hospital sent the Zululand Observer an email.

‘The hospital cannot divulge details of the treatment given to the patient owing to patient confidentiality,’ wrote hospital PRO Thobile Hadebe in the email.

‘The patient was seen at the casualty department on 20 March. He arrived at 11.30am and was seen at 11.50am. Blood was taken for tests, and an X-ray was conducted on him to determine the nature of his illness.

‘While he was waiting for test results, the patient was referred to the specialist department for an opinion and to decide on whether he required admission or not, and was given medical care.

‘It is important to note, resuscitation for elderly people is instituted much slower than young patients; otherwise you run the risk of overloading them with IV fluids.

‘Tests revealed his blood results were normal and his hydration had improved. Other investigations done proved normal, and one problem the patient had was long standing and was irreversible.

‘This problem required more tests which could be done at a later stage as they were deemed not to be urgent.

‘In summary, the patient had no acute problem that required urgent correction and admission,’ Hadebe concluded.