Patient’s maggots horror: DA calls for probe

THE DA in KwaZulu-Natal has requested the health ombudsman conduct an investigation after maggots were allegedly found in a Verulam woman’s leg.

Last week, the POST reported that Rani Nadesan, 55, of Canelands, was admitted to the Osindisweni Hospital, outside Verulam, after she developed sores on her left leg.

The mother of three was diagnosed with osteoarthritis 10 years ago which impacted her ability to walk.

Her legs often swelled and she needed ongoing treatment. However, in February, she developed three blisters on her left leg. After a few days, they became inflamed and filled with pus.

Despite being treated with home remedies, one of the sores did not heal and Nadesan was admitted to the hospital on March 27. She was discharged on April 7.

While attempting to feed Nadesan breakfast the following morning, her family said they saw a maggot crawling on the pillow placed underneath her leg. The family removed the bandage and saw maggots in the wounds.

Nadesan was taken to a private doctor and was referred to Mahatma Gandhi

Memorial Hospital on April 10 where she is receiving treatment.

Mary Naidoo, her sister, said the pain had lessened.

“We were able to see my sister briefly last week and she was feeling much better. Her wound was cleaned and neatly bandaged.

“This week, my sister said a doctor had told her that her kidneys were failing and that she needed treatment. She said she may still need to have her leg amputated.”

Naidoo said the Department of Health called another sister a week ago for information. The family had not yet heard back from them.

“We still need answers as my sister is not out of the woods yet. There needs to be some accountability.”

Rishigen Viranna, the DA’s spokesperson on health in KZN, said they forwarded Nadesan’s case to the ombudsman.

“The DA is horrified by the treatment of Rani Nadesan at Osindisweni Hospital.

“Instead of receiving proper treatment and wound care at the facility, by the time she was discharged, her wound was infested with live maggots.”

Viranna said this incident was reminiscent of Sadek Ebrahim’s experience at the RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth.

In 2019, Ebrahim was found with maggots inside his mouth. He died soon afterwards.

“At that stage, there were promises from the MEC and KZN’s Department of Health that patient care would be prioritised. Regrettably, these promises have come to nothing and such incidents continue within our public sector hospitals.”

Viranna said the filling of all healthcare worker posts was essential and that the MEC, KZN premier and provincial Treasury must demand extra funds.

“It is common knowledge that KZN’s public hospitals are chronically understaffed.

“This has been cited by the Department of Health in numerous other instances of poor patient care ... In the short term, the department must also make use of willing medical volunteers – as per their own policy – to fill the gaps and ensure proper patient care."

The Department of Health did not respond by the time of publication.

Last week, the department said Osindisweni Hospital was continuing to gather information regarding Nadesan’s allegations.

The hospital said it would provide a report to the department in due course.