Clinic ‘turns away’ ill man with no ID

A SICK, homeless East London man was allegedly refused treatment last week at the Duncan Village clinic because he could not produce an identity document.

Eric Mene, 53, who has been living on the streets for many years, claimed he was turned away from being assisted by the ambulance as well.

While he sleeps under a tree in an open field in Garcia Street, business owners in the area often provide him with food and money to survive.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, business owner Joan van der Spuy said she had become worried when Mene’s body started swelling.

“We have been giving him food and money for the past two years because he is a decent man. He doesn’t drink or get violent, he just digs in the bins for food so we decided to feed him instead,” she said.

“He does not bother anyone here and just goes about his business. His swelling got really bad last week and I called the ambulance, who picked him up and took him to Duncan Village, where he was turned away.”

She said within two hours Mene was back from the clinic and had not been attended to because the staff allegedly would not attend to him without identification, which he did not have.

Mene said he was diagnosed with tuberculosis years ago.

When the Dispatch visited the area outside Cambridge High School where Mene sleeps, he was covered with a fleece blanket. His face and feet were swollen.

He had soup and bread next to him but was shivering from the cold and could hardly speak because of pain.

However, provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo told the Dispatch that the department could not turn anyone away on the basis of not providing identification.

“The department is vehemently denying and rejecting the allegations that this patient was turned away.

“This patient was first seen at Empilweni Gompo CHC in July and was given medication, including for the swelling of the legs, and two days later he visited Duncan Village Day Hospital, where he was seen to and counselled to take his medication,” Kupelo said.

“We have no knowledge of his TB status and therefore we reject the notion that he was refused treatment because he did not have an ID.”

Van der Spuy, who feared for Mene and the passing schoolchildren’s lives if they came into contact with the illness, said several attempts to have the department step in were in vain.

“He can’t just lie in the cold like this and no one is doing anything.

“We are worried about his wellbeing and about anyone who comes into contact with him.

“The schoolkids walk past here every day, and here is a man who is being refused medical attention.”

Cambridge High School principal Spencer Welman said the safety of pupils was of utmost importance.

“After countless attempts to work through local health and safety authorities we have made contact with our councillor, who is taking the matter up with the appropriate authorities.

“It is hoped that he will be moved to a safe haven as a matter of urgency.” —