Horror behind facade at Vhembe hospital

BEHIND well-kept gardens, Donald Fraser Hospital near Thohoyandou is hiding serious neglect, patients allege.

One of Vhembe district’s oldest hospitals, Donald Fraser Hospital is known for its beautiful gardens, which newlyweds often use as the backdrop for wedding photos.

But Nndwamato Ramudzuli warns that behind the hospital’s manicured facade are unkempt and dilapidated wards.

Nndwamato’s wife, Ndivhudzannyi, was admitted to the hospital’s private female ward for four days in late June, but there was nothing “private” about it, Nndwamato said.

“There was no privacy or security in that ward. The door to the ward was not working and anyone could walk in and out of the ward freely.”

Hospital security has become a national issue after several high profile attacks on patients and healthcare workers. In the most recent case, a man shot and injured his girlfriend at a Pretoria hospital in June.

The Ramudzulis’ complaints do not end with the lack of security.

Nndwamato said the ward had an unbearable smell, which may have been coming from the laundry.

He also alleged that used medical equipment was left in his wife’s room for days.

“The drip and injections that were used for my wife were left hanging there for two days. Dustbins would be left unemptied for days,” he said.

“Window panes were broken and the ceiling fell down in places. There were no TV sets or toiletries,” he said, adding that it looked like the ward was used as a storeroom because of unused items that were stored there.

When nurses failed to regularly monitor his wife, Nndwamato said he had had enough and took his grievances to the hospital superintendent.

“The nurses attended to my wife after I approached the superintendent of the hospital,” he said.

“They (the nurses) accused me of selling them (out) to their boss, but I told them that they forced me to do so as they were dragging their feet and did not do their jobs properly.”

A visit to the ward by CV confirmed Nndwamato’s allegations.

According to health spokesperson, Adéle van der Linde, the hospital was currently in the process of repairing the broken window, as well as the ceiling.

She added that the department apologised for any inconvenience the Ramudzulis may have suffered.