Family demands answers from hospital

The Matee family from Mfuleni have accused the staff and management of Khayelitsha District Hospital of negligence after they failed to provide the family with crucial documents stating the cause of death of a relative who died at the hospital.

Their aunt Georgina Matee was admitted to the hospital a fortnight ago after she sustained severe heater burns on her lower body.

However, she died a few days later.

Family members were shocked, though, when they received documents which were missing essential information about the cause of her death.

They allege that in these documents the doctors indicated that her cause of death was unnatural and yet failed to provide full details of what could have killed her.

Ms Matee’s sister, Emily Matee, said they were informed by the doctors that Georgina had sustained severe burns on her lower body. However, she said, what puzzled them was when they received documents with missing critical information about the cause of her death.

Ms Matee said they only became aware of this when the family hired a local undertaker to take her body from the hospital premises to a private mortuary.

It was only then that the family discovered that there was missing paperwork from the hospital and had no other option but to return her sister’s body to the hospital.

Ms Matee said they tried to get hold of one of the doctors who had been assigned to treat her sister but all their efforts were fruitless.

She alleged that on one of the forms the doctor had written that he won’t elaborate on what the cause of death or the extent of her sister’s injuries were - and did not even sign them.

Ms Matee said when the family asked questions about these documents, they were sent from pillar to post without anyone assisting them, including the hospital’s chief executive officer.

However, after pursuing the matter, they received a document stating that her sister died because of her injuries and they were able to bury her last week.

“The family is still hurting because of her untimely death and yet the hospital did not make it easier for the family to deal with this matter.

“We were hoping that the hospital would treat a mourning family with care as their hearts were fragile but it was not to be. The staff and management do not care.

“We were also informed that the doctors had operated on her without letting us know. What if it is that operation that killed my sister and they don’t want to tell us. They must apologise to us,” Ms Matee said.

Another relative, Nandipha Matee, said they battled to claim life insurance policies to cover the burial costs because they did not have a death certificate. She said this has left them angry and hurt.

Sithembiso Magubane, the spokesperson for the provincial Department of Health, extended their condolences to the family of the deceased.

He said the patient was admitted to Khayelitsha District Hospital with severe burn wounds. She received appropriate care in theatre for her condition.

Mr Magubane said sadly her condition continued to deteriorate and the family were subsequently informed.

He said she passed away due to the severity of her condition.

“The body of the deceased was erroneously sent to a funeral parlour without proper documentation, however, the hospital later requested for the body to be sent for forensic investigation with proper documentation completed to establish the cause of death. Relevant staff was provided with training to avoid this from happening again.

The family are encouraged to make an appointment with Khayelitsha Hospital’s management to address any questions. We would like to express our sincere and deepest condolences to the family,” Mr Magubane said.