An Eastern Cape woman has spent 14 years in agony after an appendectomy left her with an open wound, which her family blames on the hospital’s alleged “negligence” and which it says has conveniently “lost” the file, reports eNCA.
Twenty-two-year-old Benathi Mbuse said she had never healed from the 2011 surgery at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital, with the pain confining her to bed most days.
Her family blames poor care at the facility, saying it has shattered her dreams.
Her mother, Nomaxhosa Nkayitshana, said she has tried umpteen times to get help for her daughter, and then last year, they found that Mbuse’s medical file had disappeared from the hospital.
The open, painful wound had forced the young woman to drop out of college, where she had been studying management.
Eastern Cape Health has acknowledged Mbuse’ case and said she is receiving medical care, but denied any negligence.
Spokesperson Siyanda Manana said Mbuse had been receiving effective high care – since 26 February this year.
“The hospital doesn’t have any doctor shortages, and there’s an effective referral system for specialist cases. The patient is under treatment at the UPH. She’s due to come tomorrow for the follow-up visit that will decide further treatment,” Manana said.
eNCA article – Medical negligence | woman endures open wound for 14 years (Open access)
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