Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-12-19

A father from Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, has poured his heart out on Facebook after what he claims to be negligence by Baragwaneth Hospital, in which his son died.

“A huge wooden spoon award to Baragwaneth Hospital, our largest hospital in South Africa.  Whilst I acknowledge your firefighting capabilities;  boasting some of the best medical professionals in the country; and functioning under trying circumstances, in this instance you proved and substantiated the statistic that medical treatment is the third highest cause of death after heart disease & cancer,” wrote Yoonus Mitha.

Mitha writes that while the hospital may not remember a patient by the name of Firaz Mitha who was brought into the casualty department on the 8th of August 2012 along with 8 other boys & girls with special needs from Transvaal Indian Blind Association (TIBA), the little boy was admitted with a broken arm & died whilst allegedly in the hospital’s care 5 days later.

Mitha claims the hospital policy states that only children under the age of 12 may be accompanied by an adult in casualty, and that no caregiver would be allowed to stay over with a patient in the ward outside of visiting hours.

“This sounds reasonable enough. However, I find it unacceptable & shocking that no exception is made for people with special needs regardless of their age.”

“Secondly, a urine catheter was used to assist him with his toileting. Despite protests on my part each day for the next four days  … This catheter was not removed… I was only concerned that he may get a bladder infection,” said Mitha

Mitha said that the catheter kept the boy a “prisoner” to his bed & his dignity coupled with a desire to always be Paak (Clean) stopped him from letting his tummy work or passing a stool in his bed for 5 days.

“This careless caregiver caused extreme constipation & resulted in him being poisoned from within. And then you pumped him with antibiotics to fight the resulting infection. This caused his regrettable death. Don’t you know this?”

Mitha has requested that the hospital change its policies to accommodate people with special needs.

He said the matter has been taken up with the hospital’s administration via the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

Baragwaneth Hospital has responded with a statement after a request from Radio Islam.

“The Quality Assurance Unit has the responsibility to investigate such matters as referenced in your email within a minimum of 25 days.  I am therefore referring your email to the Office of the Deputy CEO for appropriate action and disposition,” said Monde Ntebe, the spokesperson for Baragwaneth Hospital.

“The hospital takes every complaint seriously.  The public must be assured also that the hospital takes its mission to improve patient care and the quality thereof very seriously,” he said.

Twitter: @Faizie143)