MORE allegations of abuse and ill treatment have been levelled against Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital staff. This comes after Toti resident, Angelique Volschenk, made serious claims of abuse against the hospital after she was admitted for skin cancer treatment recently (Cancer patient alleges abuse at hospital – October 8).

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In the article, Volschenk alleged she was dragged on the floor back to her bed by a male nurse after collapsing in the toilet and could not walk. Photographs showed bruising on her arm which she said was a result of being forcefully grabbed and slapped. The Department of Health promised to respond to the allegations and make contact with Volschenk’s family. More than a week later, neither had been done.

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Cornelia Marais of Illovo Glen, said she could relate with what happened to Volschenk as she went through a harrowing ordeal after being admitted on Sunday, September 26. Marais alleges that after she arrived in the morning suffering from severe abdominal pains, she spent the whole day waiting before she was eventually admitted in the afternoon.

“After that I was put in the maternity ward even though I’m not pregnant. Every doctor coming in would not see me, saying I was not their problem. It was only after another doctor transferred me to the correct ward that I was able to be attended to.”

She has photographs that purport to show how she bled and her arm was left swollen after a botched attempt to insert the drip’s needle. Marais said while admitted, she was not allowed to eat and was never told the reason why.

“I went in weighing 64kg, but when I discharged myself a week later I weighed 54kg. Families and friends are not allowed to bring food for patients because of Covid-19 regulations, but nurses bring in food from outside and sell it to patients,” said Marais.

Another reader said her 94-year-old mother suffered after being admitted to Prince Mshiyeni on Thursday, September 30, and like Volschenk, she was left to lie on the floor. At the time she had been diagnosed with double pneumonia.

“My mother told us that after falling from bed, the nurse in charge instructed the others to leave her there and not help her up. It was only after that nurse had left the ward that a male nurse came and helped her back on to the bed. After reading the story about Volschenk spending the night sleeping on the floor, I was left speechless because it confirmed my mother was telling the truth after all,” said Stephanie, who asked for her last name not to be used.

As a result, she said her mother was discharged with bandaged injuries she did not have when she was admitted. She promised to take the matter further in her quest for justice. The new allegations were brought to the department’s attention.

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