Johannesburg General Hospital
23 February 2007
The clouded reports that have appeared in the media over the last few days
have necessitated that I clarify the condition of my patient, Dr Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang for the benefit of the larger community and citizens of our
country.
Dr Tshabalala-Msimang was admitted to this hospital on Tuesday, 20 February
2007, for medical attention. I may mention that she has visited this hospital
on several occasions both in her capacity as the national Minister of Health as
well as a patient who requires continuing assessment and treatment particularly
for allergic asthma.
Last October, she received therapy for a pneumonia that was complicated by a
pleural effusion, which means a collection of fluid lying between the lungs and
the wall of the chest. Her sick leave in this regard ended on 30 November 2006.
Two weeks prior to the current admission, she consulted a specialist for blood
loss related to a condition occurring frequently amongst elderly women.
During the week prior to her current admission, she experienced fatigue and
difficulty with breathing as and when she exerts herself. On admission, it was
evident that she was significantly anaemic, a condition indicating a reduction
in the number of red blood cells, which, as is known, are responsible for the
transmission of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the human body. In
addition her condition displayed a recurrence of the plural effusion.
Both these conditions contributed to manifest symptoms which required blood
transfusion to reverse the anaemia. It was therefore necessary and appropriate
to place her in a high care ward, in order to facilitate appropriate
haemodynamic monitoring.
In my opinion she has stabilised significantly. Any assisted ventilation has
not been necessary. In our assessment, she still requires ongoing
investigations in order to determine the cause of her anaemia and pleural
effusion.
Issued by: Department of Health
23 February 2007
