Living with severe pain – four years without medical treatment
Coetzee has been struggling with several hernias and tooth decay for four years.
Jolanda Coetzee, a resident of Roodepoort has been waiting four years to get the necessary medical treatment.
Twenty years ago, Coetzee underwent a gallbladder operation. In December 2019, after her first CT scan, it was established the stomach wall was damaged. Currently, Coetzee is on her seventh hernia and in immense pain.
In 2022 she was told she is on the waiting list at Helen Joseph Hospital to be operated on, however, nothing has happened as of yet, despite her having done numerous tests.
Getting her teeth removed and replacing them with dentures has been the same struggle. She was diagnosed with periodontal disease when she visited Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, which causes her teeth to fall out. Despite numerous phone calls to the hospital, there has been no progress.
Coetzee sells eggs, vegetables, and pies for an income, further, she knits for the Methodist Church. Every person in her retirement village knows if they have any troubles they are welcome to knock on her door.
The Record contacted Motalatale Modiba from the Department of Health for comment, however by the time this article was published none has been received.
