LIMPOPO – The Limpopo Department of Health calls for calm in the Praktiseer area following the death of a patient after a consultation at the local clinic on Sunday morning (May 26).

Department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana stated that a woman with chronic hypertension and a peptic ulcer visited the Praktiseer clinic early Sunday morning. She complained of a burning sensation in the stomach after eating spicy home-cooked food.

“Upon arrival at the clinic, she was seen by the clinical nurse practitioner who examined her and found that her blood pressure and other vitals were normal. The patient was then given lansolac capsules and Panado tablets for the burning sensation and was advised to come for a follow-up consultation days later. An hour later, she was reported to have collapsed and unfortunately passed on,” says Shikwambana.

The circumstances surrounding her passing have caused distress in the community with allegations of threats to attack the nursing staff emerging.

“Police have been called to keep an eye on the staff as they live in constant fear and this may affect the quality of service at the clinic.”

The MEC has ordered a team which is comprised of the forensic pathology to investigate the incident and conduct an autopsy.

The department calls for calm in the community and asks that they allow the investigative processes to unfold for the cause of death to be determined.

“Currently, the cause of death is unknown, and only these investigations will shed a clear light,” says Shikwambana, “The department therefore calls on community members not to speculate on what could have caused this death.”

MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba has, on behalf of the department, sent out her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time.