The DA in Limpopo has written to Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba, to investigate allegations of the negligent treatment of a resident at FH Odendaal Hospital in Modimolle that resulted in their death.
This follows allegations of the patient, Mr Lourens Oosthuizen, being denied the provision of care by the hospital staff. Mr Oosthuizen had apparently made four attempts to be admitted after falling seriously ill but was allegedly turned away by hospital staff because they perceived his condition to not justify being admitted.
The frequent occurrence of these types of incidents in the province recently is a cause for concern for the quality of healthcare our residents receive. A few months ago there were reports of a patient who died at the entrance of Northam clinic after being denied entry into the facility.
The negligent treatment of patients in this province has also put the available resources for healthcare under strain due to claims against the department. A recent response to a DA parliamentary question indicated the province has a total of 903 medico legal claims filed against it.
The DA will submit written questions to MEC for Health, Phophi Ramathuba, to ascertain the frequency of these types of incidents at each facility, how many similar complaints of healthcare provision being denied the province has received and their plans to address this issue.
Access to health care is a fundamental right and we will closely monitor any complaints of patients being denied access to healthcare services and ensure that officials are held to account.