Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2018/03/11

The service patients are receiving at public hospitals are making headlines once again, this, after a man’s terrifying ordeal came to light following a surgical procedure at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

Imraan Mohamed went to the hospital to clear a bowel obstruction in April last year, however, doctors only booked him for a reversal of the obstruction in January this year.

Speaking to Radio Islam, Mohamed says he wants answers from the department as to why he now has a gaping hole in his abdomen.

“I was put on a bag from April until December last year; doctors then told me to come in for tests, I went in on the 24th of January, I passed the tests, after the 5 hour operation, I was in ICU fighting for my life, the professor told my wife that I have a blood clot on my chest and my kidney failed.”

Mohamed says the doctor who operated on him, removed his stiches and assured him that his wounds would heal.

“I was in hospital for three weeks; they then wanted to transfer me to Edenvale, reason being is that they needed my bed for another patient from Edenvale to come Joburg Gen, a nurse made me aware of the plans for them wanting to transfer me to Edenvale, the doctor never spoke to me about it.”

Mohamed adds that while all of this was happening, the wound remained open and began to smell.

“They said I had an infection, but the infection I got in theatre, I never had an infection, the bag never leaked, and it was on the outside, not the inside of my body.”

He says this was when the doctor told him he would be moved to Edenvale.

“They said we need to transfer you, I said I can’t, that night they discharged me, it was a big problem, and they discharged me without meds, without dressings.”

Mohamed says the doctor told his wife that it was against hospital policy to give a patient who needs to be referred to another hospital or clinic, TTO’s (take home medication) and dressings.

“It’s a month, I can’t sleep properly, I’m borrowing money to buy dressings, and it’s open and paining.”

Mohamed adds that the hospital contacted him on Friday, claiming that the professor is concerned about his wounds.

“This is after a month of agony, and I’m still living, this is a wound that is never going to close, I went in there for help, I trusted them, for them to leave me like this, it’s breaking my family’s heart.”

He adds that the manner in which the department of health treated him was ‘not fair’.

“They told me that the bed I’m sleeping in is five thousand rands, so I asked them if this is a private or government hospital.”

Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital CEO Ms Gladys Bogoshi told Radio Islam that the patient’s treatment was referred to the Edenvale hospital for further management.

“The patient chose to go home against medical advice, the Quality Assurance Office has arranged a redress meeting with the patient concerned.”

(Edited By Hesley Harmse)