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GRAPHIC – Botched hysterectomy: Hospital staff had tears in their eyes

A woman who has suffered severe complications after a botched hysterectomy has at last been seen by a doctor, but her hopes of being helped were short-lived after she was told to come back in three weeks.

October 17, 2018

Jana Boshoff 2 minutes read

A photo of the woman's stomach, showing something is seriously wrong

The woman’s identity is being withheld for humane reasons.

She underwent a hysterectomy in July this year but soon realised that all was not well. Her stomach swelled to such an extent that it looked like she was pregnant. The scar where the operation was performed turned red and bloody under the skin.

When she went to look for help she was shown away from the Witbank Hospital with the excuse that “their machines were not working”. Middelburg Hospital told her to come back in January 2019. Her loved ones fear that in her current state, she will not live that long.

Also read: Woman fears for domestic worker’s life after botched hysterectomy

After reporting about her plight, a well-doer contacted www.mobserver.co.za and undertook to try and help her.

She got an appointment to see a doctor at the Middelburg Hospital. Her former employer told www.mobserver.co.za that hospital staff had tears in their eyes when they saw the state she was in.

She has now been instructed to come back in three weeks while the hospital tries to trace the doctor who performed the original operation.

“The problem is that she lives with her family in Nebo at the moment and she has to travel very far to get to hospital and back. Because she is not working, she does not have any money and transport is expensive. She is also in a lot of pain, especially if she has to sit for long periods,” the woman’s former employer said, who has been supporting her financially.