Gauteng MEC for Health and Social Development, Qedani Mahlangu, has summoned doctors and management from the Far East Rand Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital to her office on Monday to explain why a two-year old girl who was admitted for burns on her hands ended up with both legs amputated.
The toddler, Thembisa Kometsi, from Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, was admitted at Far East Rand Hospital and later transferred to Charlotte Maxeke Academic hospital to be treated for burns on her hands instead she ended up with her legs being amputated.
During her visit to the child's family on Friday, MEC Mahlangu described the incidents as tragic and a travesty of justice. She said the department would conduct a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of the incident.
"Our hospitals cannot be places where people are subjected to bad treatment and neglect. It is unacceptable that we continue to have incidents of this nature happening at our facilities. We will get to the bottom of this incident and those found to be guilty of negligence, though disciplinary action will be taken against them which may lead to dismissal," said MEC Mahlangu.
Doctors, nurses and managers from Rahima Moosa hospital will also have to explain themselves to the MEC for the insensitive treatment of the Mucheme's family following the death of their baby, Mejury, last week.
Mahlangu reiterated that, while it is understandable that doctors and nurses work under difficult conditions, ill-treatment and abuse of patients cannot be justified. The MEC also encouraged members of public who experience poor service at hospitals to report these through a call centre which operates 24 hours.
The telephone numbers are as follows:
011 488 4394/ 011 488 4366/ 011 488 4351/ 011 488 4445
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 November 2009
