Complaint was false
A COMPLAINT that a woman with elephantiasis was refused treatment at a Port Elizabeth hospital was baseless, the Eastern Cape health department says
"The thick medical file clearly indicates that she's been taken care of throughout," spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said.
Pamela Maxhanti, 37, claimed she was turned away from the Livingstone specialist hospital last week without treatment for elephantiasis-related open wounds and severe pain and swelling.
Kupelo said Maxhanti was admitted to Livingstone on January 8 and was started on treatment the following day.
On her discharge on January 24 she was given a follow-up appointment to see a doctor at the Port Elizabeth provincial hospital on February 13.
But Kupelo said she missed the appointment and because she could not be seen, she was re-directed back to the Livingstone hospital.
"In Livingstone she was given treatment."
Maxhanti was given numerous medicines for chronic pain, inflammation and open wounds.
"These items are confirmed in her folder. The medical opinion is that her condition cannot be cured, but only managed."
Elephantiasis is a disease that affects the skin and tissue and is caused by parasitic worms.
Lee-Ann
aoh mama? U think now that u r popular u'll get special treatment? If u miss ur appointment they cancel it and u'll have to book another one which might take u a while. So, please...let's be realistic here, no special treatment at a state hospital, none mama!Report Abuse
augustrain
The Department is LYING! she was given Panado and sent home! This case was well documented ON VIDEO on the etv programe '3rd Degree' and she was CURED by Private Hospital and private donations. She was even given a new house by govt after her case was exposed on ETV. ' The medical opinion is that her condition cannot be cured, but only managed.' LIES again she is now able to walk again! and is cured!! After private treatment and the kindness of private citizens that took months to help her SHAME ON THE ANC GOVT HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR ALLOWING HER CONDITION TO DETERIORATE IN THE FIRST PLACE!THANKS TO DEBRA PATTER OTHER DONORS AND ETV FOR HELPING HER THE COST OF TREATMENT WAS ROUND FOUR MILLION RAND!
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freegoman
These hospitals are the same in terms of ill treating our patients. MECs for Health have something to do with all these cases as they happen under their hospitals. Ones their Depts get litigated they get kickbacks for not effectively defending their cases in courts. Ones the Dept get sued for R23m like it was the case in Gauteng, the responsible MEC get a kickback, that's my effective view.Report Abuse
Papage
But Still Kupelo, how do you discharge a person in this conditions, how is she going to cope at home like this, eish guys get your mind right and keep the Mama in hospital. Ask for help from Doctors outside South Africa, we are the members of all sort of unions in all countries, surely one can assist in this type of illment.Report Abuse
maki12
@SOWETAN, why are u using Nana's photo for this story. The woman on the picture was treated a long time ago..she is not the same person on the storyReport Abuse
Sphalaphala
Maki12 - i agree with you dear, how can Sowetan use Nana's foto while she's recovering well thanks to all the people who help out and special thanks to 3 de gree for great assistance.Goverment for providing a house for her family and giving her husband a permanent job with benefits and medical aid.
Lee-Ann - dear you not refering to Nana when say now that she's popular she missed her appointment, they not talking about her but just using her foto.
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Gorgeous
We have seen it with our naked eyes that the disease is curable, Kupelo stop lying manReport Abuse