By Agreement Mabunda
POLOKWANE-A patient died at the entrance of Northam Clinic, Limpopo on Saturday after a security guard denied him entry to the facility.
The man’s family had brought him to the clinic around 03:00 on Saturday. At the time, the patient was bleeding from all his bodily orifices, according to the Limpopo Department of Health.
But instead of allowing the family access, the security guard informed them that due to load shedding, they would not open for them, but instead gave them contact numbers for emergency medical services.
According to the department, the man had already died by the time the ambulance arrived.
“Nurses on duty were only informed after the patient had died,” the department added.
MEC Phophi Ramathuba said:While we are still waiting for the full report on what transpired, we are hurt, saddened, and equally angered by the allegations. Denying access to healthcare services contradicts our commitment to upholding basic human rights.
She added: “We reiterate our plea to security guards to adhere to their duties and refrain from triaging patients, a responsibility outside their expertise. Our heartfelt condolences go to the family of the deceased.”
Her spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha told Tzaneen Voice that the clinic is in fact operational during load shedding.
Meanwhile, Eskom has announced that Stage 6 load shedding over the last few days has allowed the power utility to replenish its emergency reserves, with Stage 4 being implemented from midday on Sunday.
