OPINION: A sister’s death – a victim of broken systems
The KZN Department of Health has commented, however, no comment has been received from Umdoni Municipality.
I am writing this with a heavy heart, not just for my family, but for every voiceless resident in the Ugu District who has suffered under the weight of our collapsing infrastructure and healthcare system. On December 23, 2025, my sister began a journey through a nightmare that ultimately cost her, her life.
Her ordeal started with severe pain, but in Ugu, a medical emergency is a death sentence. For three hours, my family begged for an ambulance that never came. Because the bridge in our area has been ‘temporarily’ fixed with sand for years – only to be washed away with every rain – transport was impossible. My neighbour, Zamani, had to run to the informal settlements to find a private driver who then had to take the long, winding route through Shayamoya because of the bridge’s collapse.
When she finally reached Umzinto Clinic, there was no ambulance to transfer her to the hospital. My family, already struggling, had to pay for private transport again. She was only admitted to GJ Crookes Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
What followed was a disgraceful display of unprofessionalism and a total lack of empathy from both GJ Crookes and Port Shepstone Regional hospitals. From Thursday to Saturday, I called from Johannesburg, desperate for news. I was bounced from ward to ward by switchboards that couldn’t locate her. No one told us she had been transferred to Port Shepstone. When I finally reached Port Shepstone on Saturday afternoon, after being heartlessly transferred to the mortuary line by mistake, I was told – casually – that she had passed away.
Nobody called the family to say she was being transferred. Nobody called to say she was failing. Nobody called to say she had died. My 18-year-old son and my ill brother were left to navigate this horror while I tried to manage everything from hundreds of kilometres away.
This letter is for the municipality that refuses to build a permanent bridge. It is for the ambulance services that take three hours to respond to a dying woman. It is for the clinics that have no emergency transport, and the hospitals that treat grieving families like an inconvenience.
My sister died alone, and the ‘system’ in Ugu is responsible. We demand more than excuses; we demand the basic dignity of working roads, functioning ambulances, and human communication.
MELONY VENKATAS
RESPONSE:
Spokesperson for the KZN Department of Health Ntokozo Maphisa said: “The department acknowledges concerns regarding communication and the level of conduct when engaging with grieving families and, without prejudice, extends its sincere condolences to the affected family. Due to laws that govern patient confidentiality, the department is unable to disclose any clinical details and/or those pertaining to management of the patient.
The department can nevertheless confirm that, based on an official report from the hospital, following receipt of the media enquiry on January 19, the hospital conducted an internal review focusing on communication processes and adherence to protocol regarding this matter. Records indicate that the patient was referred from GJ Crookes Hospital to the Emergency Department on December 25, 2025, and sadly passed away shortly after arrival despite medical intervention.
In line with hospital policy, details of the next-of-kin were obtained on admission. Clinical documentation confirms that the attending medical officer made several attempts to contact the listed family members after the patient’s passing, but these were unsuccessful. Additional efforts included informing the referring hospital to assist in tracing the family, and death notification records confirm that attempts to reach relatives were made.
While the review indicates that reasonable efforts were undertaken to notify the family, the hospital acknowledges the distress experienced and recognises the need to continuously strengthen communication, sensitivity, and co-ordination between healthcare facilities. Engagements with relevant stakeholders are ongoing, to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
The department remains committed to Batho Pele principles, patient-centred care, and continuous improvement.”
* Umdoni Municipality was also made aware of the situation regarding collapsing infrastructure. No feedback was received at the time of going to press.
