Family blames ‘negligence’ at hospital for patient’s death

THE FAMILY of Johnny Mafilika, 30, who died at Connie Vorster Memorial Hospital in Hartswater, wants the Northern Cape Department of Health to pay for his funeral costs as they accuse the hospital of causing his death through negligence.

Mafilika died in the health facility on September 8 after being admitted the day before following a car accident.

The bereaved family claims that Mafilika was never given any proper medical attention at the hospital, except for being given some medication on an empty stomach the day after the accident.

They said that Mafilika’s wounds were never dressed and that he died wearing the same clothes that he arrived in at the hospital.

According to the family, Mafilika was seated in the back of a bakkie that was involved in an accident in Hartswater on Wednesday, September 7.

He is reported to have suffered back injuries.

Mafilika’s brother, Nkosinathi Mafilika, said they went to see him in hospital on Wednesday after he was admitted. He was apparently still wearing the same dirty clothes that he arrived in.

Nkosinathi said that upon enquiring from the nursing staff whether they could bring him some food and pyjamas, the family was informed that Mafilika had to be transferred to Kimberley urgently because of the severity of his injuries.

“We left him in the same condition and returned to the hospital on Thursday morning to check whether he was indeed transferred and we found him still in the same condition,” said Nkosinathi.

“The staff had not touched him except to give him medication on a hungry stomach and insert a catheter bag. He was still conscious and asked us for food.

“We were very unhappy and wondered why he was not given any food, but we were met with arrogance from the staff.

“The nurse said we can give him something to eat. We brought him Mageu, and we helped him to sit up in order to drink.”

Nkosinathi said the nurse was very upset upon realising that Mafilika had been lifted up.

“It was only then that we learned that he had a back injury. My brother was also surprised and he asked the sister why he had been left all along to turn and lie in different positions.

“He spoke clearly and directed the question at the nurse, who did not provide any answers.

“He told us that the staff had not been paying any attention to him or the other patient who was sleeping next to him.

“The other patient was one of the people who was involved in the same accident as my brother.”

Nkosinathi said they left the hospital to go and get his brother some clean clothes and they returned at around lunchtime.

“We found the nursing staff surrounding his bed, trying to resuscitate him. They could not save him.”

Nkosinathi said they wanted to lay a complaint at the hospital but the sister was “arrogant” towards them.

“She said what did we expect them to do as the patient was sick and was bound to die.

“The hospital shifted the blame to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, which was supposed to give the go-ahead for the patient to be transferred to them.

“They said instructions were given for the patient to be kept on bed rest only, until he was transferred to Kimberley.

“They also said Connie Vorster Hospital does not have the capacity to treat the patient.”

Mafilika’s family said it is a struggle to raise funds to pay for the funeral costs as the deceased did not have any insurance policies.

Nkosinathi said his brother’s funeral policies had lapsed after he lost his job.

He used to do odd jobs at farms around Jan Kempdorp and Hartswater.

By the time of gong to print yesterday, Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Lebogang Majaha had not provided any comment after promising to do so on Tuesday.

He was not answering his phone either.

The bereaved family cannot confirm when they will be able to bury their loved one.