Central SA
Claims of refusal to treat patient with snakebite in North West denied─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:22 Thu, 30 Jan 2025
The Mahikeng provincial hospital has dismissed allegations that a snakebite victim was denied treatment due to not having an ID.
The allegations surfaced in a post on social media that claimed a man bitten by a snake was reportedly turned away from the hospital’s casualty unit a week ago after he could not provide an ID.
The hospital issued a statement to confirm the patient (in his early 50s) arrived at its casualty unit and was promptly attended to by medical staff. He underwent the necessary triage process and a patient file was opened, despite him not having identification on hand.
A patient with a snakebite. Photo: Facebook (For illustrative purposes only.)
The hospital said the file contained detailed medical records, including the triage results recorded by a nurse and a comprehensive doctor’s report, which spans from Thursday evening (23/1) to Sunday (26/1), when the patient was discharged. These records prove that the patient received the required care without any delays or refusals.
Mahikeng Provincial Hospital expressed concern over the inaccurate and misleading nature of the allegations. Patients have a constitutional right to emergency medical care as outlined in Section 27(3) of the Constitution, it said. Patients may access healthcare, regardless of whether they have their ID on hand or not.
Distorted and misleading information
Efforts to contact the patient for further clarification have been unsuccessful, as his phone went unanswered despite multiple attempts, the hospital said.
It’s launched an investigation into the incident and cautioned the public and media against circulating what it described as “distorted and misleading information” that undermines the hospital staff and their commitment to patient care.
The hospital said it was dedicated to provide high-quality healthcare and safeguarding the rights of all patients, particularly in emergency situations.
The Mahikeng Provincial Hospital previously came under scrutiny after newborn babies were discovered in boxes. Provincial health spokesperson Tebogo Lekhgethwane stated that systems and procedures are in place to guide the hospital in case of a shortage of incubators.
A disgruntled member of the community expressed her dissatisfaction on social media. "Your hospital is bad and in a bad condition. Your nurses and doctors don’t care for patients. You may argue and protect them however you want, but we go there and we get harsh treatment. We know. We are suffering at the hands of your nurses mostly. Children die there, you, it’s a lot," said Dee Mtshana’ka Fumu on her Facebook page.