The Chief Executive Officer of Helen Joseph Hospital Mrs Gladys Bogoshi has been withdrawn from the hospital with immediate effect pending an investigation into an incident in which a 30 year old patient died while waiting for four hours for treatment.
The patient, Thabile Mlotshwe presented to the hospital's accident and emergency unit on Friday complaining that she had been vomiting blood the night before. The nurses referred her to the poly clinic where she waited for nearly four hours as her condition deteriorated, she started vomiting blood again. She was then taken back to the casualty unit where she collapsed and died.
The department's Chief of Operation, Dr Abul Rahman says the withdrawal is to allow for investigation to take place without hindrance. "We cannot allow a situation were patients' lives are being compromised. We will ensure that we get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident.
Rahman says the investigation into the incident will be completed by next week Tuesday. Should the investigation reveal act of negligence, severe appropriate action would be taken.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 September 2009
