Inquiry into death of man ‘denied’ ambulance
THE Eastern Cape Department of Health has started an investigation into the events that led to the death of Vuyani Moko more than a week ago.
Moko was stabbed on April 6 by a mugger and died hours after an ambulance crew allegedly refused to take him to hospital because he was drunk.
The 54-year-old’s wife, Nontsizi Dama, 57, is convinced Moko would still be alive had he been taken to hospital.
He had been stabbed four times and died from his injuries a few hours later.
“If they [the paramedics] had taken him to hospital, I think he would still be with us today. I’m convinced of that,” Dama said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Emergency Medical Services (EMS) management met the family on Thursday last week.
EMS district manager Brenhan Metune said the aim of the meeting was to obtain the family’s version of events first-hand.
Metune said following a seven-day investigation, EMS would go back to the family this week to provide them with an update.
Vuyile Moko, 49, said on the day his brother was stabbed, Moko’s room “looked like a cow had been slaughtered” in it.
According to the family and several witnesses, the ambulance crew dispatched to the scene did little to assist Moko medically.
Mavis Joni, 59, a neighbour, said the medical crew did not even want to get out of the vehicle at first.
“The [male] paramedic said [Moko] must walk out or we must bring him. We told him he can’t walk and that’s he’s bleeding,” she said.
Welcome Mavikela, 60, another neighbour who had been one of the first people at Moko’s side, said: “The paramedic told us to bandage him [Moko]. He said he was not going to do it because Moko had been drinking.”
Moko’s son, Lukhanyo Dama, 23, confirmed his father had been drinking earlier that night.
Eastern Cape Health Department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said he dismissed the deliberate attempt by the family to mislead the public on circumstances surrounding the treatment of Moko.
“The patient refused conveyance to hospital after his wounds were dressed,” he said.
“The refusal to be taken to hospital was signed by a family member, it is the norm that a patient or family member would sign the refusal.”
The family dismissed Kupelo’s claims as untrue.
Of last week’s meeting with EMS management, Moko’s brother said: “By actually showing up they’ve shown us that they care, but we’re also aware of the fact that had we not gone to The Herald they probably would not have cared.”