INJURED PATIENT WAITS 12 HOURS FOR DOCTOR, DIES

PIGG’S PEAK – A family believes that their 23-year-old son could have been saved if a doctor was quickly made available at the hospital.

Khayelihle Dlamini (23), a resident of Luphikweni near Nyakatfo in the Hhohho Region, had been working at a construction site in Buhleni when he was injured. It is believed that on January 14, 2023, while he was busy at work, a container used for concrete fell on him, causing a severe injury. He was rushed to the Mkhuzweni Health Centre, which is about five kilometres from Buhleni.

However, due to the seriousness of his injuries, he could not be assisted but was transferred to the Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital, which is said to be more equipped in handling emergencies than Mkhuzweni Health Centre. At this point, his parents were not present until later when he was at Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, he is said to have been advised that he could not be treated because the doctor would only be available 48 hours later, on Monday.

It is alleged that some medication was then administered on him while he waited for the doctor. While waiting, it was gathered that he was admitted but he is said to have tossed and turned in pain. This was also confirmed by his mother who later arrived at the hospital. It is further alleged that from the time he arrived, more than 12 hours passed and he had not been seen by a doctor. Khayelihle is said to have continued writhing in pain.

Informed

This reportedly resulted in one of the people who were at the hospital calling out to the nurses and asking if they could check on him. The nurses are said to have been informed that it appeared as if his condition was worsening. His mother said they were concerned and shocked when they were advised that there was no doctor to attend to them. She said her son was in pain because some of his injuries were not visible yet he complained of excruciating pain.

Khayelihle’s mother said when they were told that a doctor would not be available, they then decided to call personnel at another hospital in the Lubombo Region, but they were also told that the doctor would also only be available on Monday. This meant that Khayelihle had to wait for about 48 hours before he could be seen by a doctor despite that his condition was urgent. She said the following morning, over 12 hours later, some medical personnel arrived to check on him and transferred him to an emergency ward, but it was gathered that he died while they were putting on some gloves so that they could move him.

She said Khayelihle was then admitted while awaiting the doctor’s availability. Further, Khayelihle’s mother said her son completed his Form V in 2021 but had not performed satisfactorily. She said for this reason, the family had raised some money so that he could be able to rewrite some of the subjects he did not do well in. She said he had been working at one of the construction companies in Buhleni. His father, Fundo Dlamini, also confirmed the same. He said the family was hurt at the death of his son because they believed he could have been saved had he been assisted by the medical personnel on time.

Reported

Fundo also said the matter was reported to the police and was being handled by them. However, the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, had not confirmed the death at the time of compiling this report. The family confirmed that he died on January 15, 2023, and he was buried on the following Saturday. The vigil was held at Luphikweni near Nyakatfo, while his body was later transferred to Ntabinezimpisi on January 20, 2023. His funeral was reportedly attended by nearly 2 000 people and a trail of minibuses transported mourners to his final resting place after the vigil. Khayelihle’s family thanked the former employer whom they said was very helpful and supportive in funeral expenses.

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