“I, SR Buthelezi, not taught how to remove it.”
This was the response, in writing, that a distraught patient at the Dundee Gateway Clinic received after she requested the removal of her Implanon implant.
The implant, a contraceptive device that is inserted in the forearm, is meant to control unwanted pregnancies with minimal side effects, or so it is believed.
The patient, who declined to be named, sought medical help after she began experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding soon after the insertion of her implant in February. After four months of nausea, headaches and bleeding she decided to have her implant removed. However, the nurse who made the insertion has had no training on the removal of the implant, and thus could not help the patient.
“I am very disappointed, why was I given false hope? They should not have said they can remove it,” said the aggrieved patient. Dissatisfied and frustrated the patient was sent away with a course of medication that is meant to control the bleeding.
The patient told the Courier that during the counselling prior to the insertion, she was told the implant ‘can be removed instantly if need be’. Yet after being referred to two nurses and two outpatient doctors she still left the hospital premises with the implant in her arm.
The patient said that she felt that her rights were infringed upon, and felt further dismay when Nurse Buthelezi told her that, “No private doctor can remove it either.” According to Matron Teresa Mkhize, “Nurse Buthelezi had never performed a removal before, and needed to be supervised by her trainer during the removal. However, the trainer was on leave.” Matron Mkhize also apologised for the inconvenience caused and urged the patient to come back for assistance.
However, it appears as if assistance is no longer needed, as casualty doctor Dr Thwala removed the implant for the patient shortly after she received no joy from Nurse Buthelezi.
