Mamelodi hospital responds to allegations of mistreatment
A Bronkhorstspruit resident previously shared his “horror” experience in this Pretoria hospital.
Devon Knoetze, who sustained injuries on both his legs, told Rekord that he was initially admitted at Mamelodi hospital, but had himself discharged after alleging serious neglect and mistreatment from staff.
Knoetze was still recovering from the serious car accident in Steve Biko Academic hospital
Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson for the office of the MEC, Kwara Kekana, responded on Tuesday to the allegations.
She said Knoetze was brought by ambulance to Mamelodi regional hospital’s casualty unit on 6 May at 15:23.
“The patient was seen by an orthopaedic doctor at 23:45, wound on the left leg was sutured and dressed and the patient was scheduled for CT brain scan at Steve Biko,” said Kekana.
She said the scan was done at 03:00 the following morning, where after Knoetze was brought back to Mamelodi hospital.
“The patient was admitted to ward 4 at 06:00; however, he had to wait for a vacant bed in the ward,” said Kekana.
“At 10:00 patient arrived in ward 4 and vital signs were monitored.”
Knoetze had previously told Rekord that he woke up in hospital with “a badly stitched left leg” and said the wound on his right leg was left open.
“Furthermore, they did nothing for me at the hospital. I was not given any food to eat in the time I was there and I also wet myself and no one assisted me to get cleaned up.”
Kekana did not respond to these allegations but insisted that Knoetze was booked for further treatment.
“Mr Knoetze was awaiting a debridement of the left knee in the ward, but it was cancelled 7 May due to other emergencies. A total of 24 operations were done on this day.”
On Saturday 8 May, Knoetze’s sister Sulet Venter, with the help of a former ward councillor in Bronkhorstspruit, Carenesta de Jager, insisted that he be discharged from hospital.
Kekana responded: “On 8 May at 13:55, Mr Knoetze and his family insisted on leaving the hospital. He signed a refusal of hospital treatment (RHT). The doctor on call and the one in charge did not advocate for the patient when his sister wanted to sign the RHT, because of an open fracture without medication.”
Kekana admitted that there were “some gaps in care” while Knoetze was in Mamelodi hospital, “such as the fact that the patient was not given stat medication in casualty”.
Aided by his sister and De Jager, Knoetze was admitted to Steve Biko hospital, where he claims to have received “much better treatment”.
Knoetze’s mother Theresa, who was with him in the car accident, was still at Mamelodi hospital but was seeming to receive better care.
Venter said their mother, whose injuries were mostly internal, was still waiting for an operation on her leg.
Knoetze said on Tuesday that he would also have to undergo an operation on his left foot. His right knee was previously operated on and the open wound was closed.
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