Life Healthcare addresses claims of circumcision negligence

A mother has expressed her frustration and anger on Facebook after her son’s circumcision was allegedly mishandled by a doctor at Wilgeheuwel Hospital. She claims that the procedure was performed without proper communication or consent while her husband was away. The doctor reportedly ignored her concerns as her baby bled heavily, dismissing the situation as ‘normal’. He then left abruptly, leaving an assistant to explain the healing process.

Read more: Living a healthy life

The mother suspected something was wrong and sought a second opinion. On February 13, 2024, a new doctor confirmed that the initial procedure was done incorrectly and needed to be redone. The second doctor expressed shock at the negligence, noting the child could have bled to death. While the child has recovered, he remains traumatised.

Adri Botha, hospital manager at Life Healthcare Wilgeheuwel, acknowledged the concerns raised by the mother in a Facebook post shared around February 17. “We understand that circumcision is a delicate procedure and can be distressing for parents. We take all complaints very seriously and looked into the matter immediately,” said Botha.

Also read: Race to reach 215 000 healthcare workers in Gauteng

However, Botha noted that neither the hospital nor the doctor had received a formal complaint since the procedure was performed two years ago. “We are in the process of trying to reach out to the mother to assist us in determining any necessary steps that need to be taken,” she added.

Life Healthcare has encouraged dissatisfied patients to follow their formal complaints procedure to ensure concerns are addressed. While the hospital attempts to engage with the affected family, the mother remains firm in her pursuit of justice, hoping to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.

Related article: Share your healthcare hero story and win