A Free State community is up in arms and demanding justice after the death of a young woman who was refused care at Bophelong Clinic in Welkom this month, writes Thabang Thembani for Health-e News.
Mpho Vanessa Staal (17) had woken up on 1 October with severe stomach cramps and headed to her local clinic in Thabong. But after she had been waiting for an hour to be seen, the nurses told her she wasn’t sick, accusing her of being an attention-seeking teenager and saying she should go and take care of herself at home, according to other patients.
Staal left, but collapsed and died in the street, not far from the clinic. Her body was found by neighbours who alerted her family, and the local human rights organisation, Human360.
Her cousin, Malefu Staal, said they want to know why the nurses didn’t do their job.
“We want them to be held accountable for their actions. Her life could have been saved if they had just done their job.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the community.
“Every individual deserves respectful and timely medical care, regardless of age. The alleged actions of the staff at Bophelong Clinic are unacceptable and a clear violation of human rights,” said Tshidiso Koena, Human360 human rights advocacy officer.
“We demand that the Department of Health take immediate action.”
Led by Mpho’s family and Human360, the community initially wrote a letter to the Department of Health, detailing their grievances and demanding action. When their efforts were met with silence, they took to the streets two days later, organising a protest outside the clinic.
A memorandum outlining their demands – which included that the nurses who turned Staal away be suspended and that an immediate investigation be launched – was subsequently submitted to the Acting District Director of Health.
The memorandum was received by Dr Lucky Madikane, acting director in the Lejweleputswa district, who said a probe had been initiated and that the community would be updated with findings and actions to be taken.
In a further step towards seeking justice, Human360 has taken the matter to the Equality Court, accusing the nurses of discriminating against Staal based on her age.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Free State Health pins hopes on new HoD
Free State Health clinics anger communities by operating only ‘few hours a day’