Woman risks losing leg after hospital sends her home
To make matters worse, Far East Rand Hospital where Maureen Ngobese, of Chief Albert Luthuli settlement, was admitted, told her after three months she had to go home because they were no longer willing or able to treat her injury.
She was referred to her local clinic, which does not have the capacity to treat her condition.
A heavily pregnant Ngobese, 34, was in labour while being rushed to hospital when the accident happened in December 2010.
Now, she has been forced to quit her job because her left foot is crippled and has started rotting. She cannot stand on her feet for a long time or walk a long distance.
“When they told me there was nothing they can do anymore for me, I was left hurt and confused,” Ngobese said.
Her wound has now turned septic and she says it has maggots. She told of her frustration and suffering, saying the clinic had referred her back to the hospital.
“I really do not know what I must do because I do n
ot have the money to be going up and down like this,” said a weeping Ngobese.
Her local ward councillor at Chief Luthuli settlement, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, told Sowetan: “I am very concerned that my resident has been unfairly treated by both the ambulance service of Ekurhuleni and Far East Rand Hospital.
“The priority now is that she receives urgent treatment of her leg because the infection on it is growing and if not treated soon, she could end up having her leg amputated. I am also trying to contact the Road Accident Fund to help her claim damages,” said Nt’sekhe.
Gauteng health spokesman Simon Zwane said: “I apologise that she has been sent from pillar to post.
“I will arrange that she is seen by doctors at Far East Rand Hospital as soon as possible. We would also like to get details of the accident so that we can investigate.”
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