A critically ill patient tragically lost his life at the entrance of Northam Clinic outside Thabazimbi in Limpopo in the early hours of Friday morning. This, according to the Department of Health in the province, happened after the patient was denied entry to the health facility by the security guards due to load shedding.
The department spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha said the nurses inside the clinic were unaware of what was happening at the clinic’s entrance.
“They were only made aware after the patient passed away at the clinic entrance and according to the preliminary reports, it is alleged that a family brought a critically ill male patient who was bleeding in all his body orifices as an emergency around 3 am but instead of allowing them access, security guards informed them that due to load shedding, they will not open for them but rather opted to give them contact numbers for Emergency Medical Services,” Muavha said.
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He added that by the time the ambulance arrived, the patient had already passed away. “Nurses on duty were only informed about the patient after his passing,” said Muavha.
Muavha said in a statement that an investigation into the incident is underway.
“We hope that the investigation will shed light on the sequence of events and potential procedural inefficiencies that contributed to this unfortunate incident,” Muavha said
. Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has sent her deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
“While we are still waiting for the full report on what transpired, we are hurt, saddened, and equally angered by the allegations.
Denying access to healthcare services contradicts our commitment to upholding basic human rights. We reiterate our plea to security guards to adhere to their duties and refrain from triaging patients, a responsibility outside their expertise. Our heartfelt condolences go to the family of the deceased,” expressed MEC Ramathuba.
