Elderly nearly dies because of lack of oxygen

“My mother is on oxygen and unfortunately the machine works with electricity. Yesterday she phoned in a panic because her generator broke,” this emotional plea was answered with a short ‘Will follow-up’.

Residents, the business sector and people depended on electricity for survival is feeling the effect of the power cuts.

Ms Hester Kemp (76), was by the time of going to press, still on oxygen and she has been treated for fluids on her lungs.

“I blame Theo van Vuuren for my mom’s condition. I had sent many messages to Theo. I begged them to switch on the power because my mom needed it‚” Ms Yolande Kemp Bezuidenhout, Kemp’s daughter said.

Yolande found her mom half-conscious at home in Reyno Ridge on February 21

This photo was taken of Ms Hester Kemp on February 18.

Three days later Ms Hester Kemp is on oxygen in Life Cosmos Hospital.

“We didn’t have water or power at my home so I said to my husband that we should go have a bath at my mom’s house as she had water. But when we got there‚ she didn’t open her door and her power was off‚” said Yolande.

“I called out and frantically started knocking on her door. We opened the door and found my mom in the bedroom. It was as if she was in a deep sleep. Her lips were blue. She gained consciousness and said ‘I am ok’ and immediately drifted back to sleep.”

Yolande phoned an ambulance and the paramedics rushed to give her mom oxygen and take her to hospital.

“We did everything to brace ourselves against the power cuts. We have generators, but my mom’s house is just too small for a big oxygen cylinder. My dad passed away in December. He always started the generator when the power went off and now‚ my mom lives alone. It’s not like she is incapable of taking care of herself but she can’t start the generator alone. Without electricity the cylinder only lasts about 30 minutes.”

Eskom has since suspended the limited power interruptions to eMalahleni indefinitely.

For Yolande and her mom this is not the outcome they were hoping for.

“It is good news for now but what will happen in the future? Eskom still threatens to cut the power by the end of the week. How is the municipality going to pay the money they owe Eskom and keep the lights on so that my mom and many others dependent on electricity can survive?”

ALSO READ:

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/88144/eskom-will-cut-municipality-doesnt-honour-agreement/

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/88136/and-the-lights-stay-on/