UPDATE: MEC to visit Ouma Martha after family fury
Dr Bandile Masuku will do a follow up visit with Ouma Martha, the elderly woman who was found tied to a bench in the Mamelodi regional hospital in May.
Gauteng health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku is expected to visit Ouma Martha Marais of Eersterust on Thursday, after her family complained of broken promises earlier this week.
Marais (76) is the pensioner who made news headlines when she was pictured lying on the floor tied to a steel bench in the Mamelodi hospital in May.
This week, her family released a statement expressing their dissatisfaction after what they described as broken promises by the government.
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Family spokesperson Virgina Keppler said the department had broken promises regarding the aftercare of the pensioner.
“The MEC Dr Bandile Masuku never kept his promise to arrange counselling for Ouma Martha at home. She only received one visit the by a psychologist, a doctor and nurse and they also took new crutches for her,” Keppler said.
Keppler said it was “clear the MEC has no regard for the life of this senior citizen because he himself or his office have not once followed up to try and find out about her well-being”.
“What happened to Ouma Martha is the worst kind of injustice. But what is happening now is as disgusting because the system is failing her and her family again and again and again.
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“The family is demanding that the MEC step up to the plate and keeps his promises,” Keppler said.
On Thursday, the department of health announced Masuku would “do a follow-up visit to Martha Marias”.
“MEC Dr Bandile Masuku will be visiting Ms Martha Marias, this will be a follow-up to the unfortunate incident which occurred at Mamelodi Hospital. On the 30 May 2019, a video went viral on social media wherein Ms Marais was seen tied up to a bench at Mamelodi Hospital,” Kwara Kekana spokesperson for the MEC said.
“MEC Masuku will be conducting the follow up visit as part of commitments made by the Gauteng department of health to Ms Marais and the family. The visit will take place later today at 18.30 at Ouma Marais’ home in Eersterust.”
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