Patient dies after waiting two days for an ambulance

A 59-YEAR-old visually impaired and diabetic patient died in transit while en route to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH) after waiting two days for an ambulance to transport him from Kuruman to Kimberley.

Elfrida Vogt-Hans described her husband’s harrowing last moments as he gasped for air.

“He grabbed my hands as his mouth and tongue turned purple, while sweat poured down his face,” recalled Elfrida. 

“He wasn’t considered a medical emergency and staff at Kuruman Hospital became agitated when I pleaded for help. Patients are dying and are not receiving the treatment or empathy they deserve.” 

She stated that her husband, Bishop Ernest Hans, was blind and was recently diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. 

“We are still waiting for an autopsy to be conducted.” 

She said that her husband underwent a tooth extraction at the Kagisho Community Health Centre on February 19. 

“He was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition - Ludwig’s angina - on February 25 when he returned to the clinic with a swollen jaw, swollen lymph nodes, and a high fever. He was referred to a maxillofacial surgeon in Kimberley on February 26.

“We waited at Kuruman Hospital to be transported by ambulance. However, when the two patient transport vehicles arrived at 2am on February 26, they were filled to capacity. Pregnant women and elderly patients were given priority and we were told to wait until 7-8am the following morning.”  

Elfrida stated that she was accused of refusing to listen to the nurses when they instructed her to wait, despite her alerting them that her husband was unable to breathe, swallow or eat.

“I asked what I was supposed to do as he was diabetic and his tongue was swollen and was sticking out of his mouth. There was a shortage of diabetic medication and he was only administered one intravenous drip.” 

She added that they waited until 5 am on February 27, when they were finally able to be transported to Kimberley.

“The ambulance was overcrowded with nine patients, including a baby and a patient who was seated in front of the ambulance with the paramedics. My husband was seated on the chair as a disabled child was lying on the stretcher.” 

She said her husband grabbed her when they hit a speed bump at the bridge near Gong Gong. 

“I was holding him while sitting on the edge of the stretcher to prevent him from falling off the chair, when his neck collapsed and his heart stopped. I unsuccessfully tried to administer chest compressions.” 

She added that they were offloaded at Professor ZK Matthews Hospital in Barkly West when paramedics were unable to resuscitate her husband.

“They said, ‘Sorry, ma’am, he died. You cannot travel with us to Kimberley’. I waited there until the funeral undertakers came to collect his body.”

Elfrida added that her husband was the sole breadwinner of the family.

 “He ran a bible college and a community crèche and trained many pastors.”

Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Lulu Mxekezo stated that various health disciplines were consulted to discuss the case.

“The patient received treatment at Kuruman Hospital on February 20 as he had mobile (loose) teeth. Three teeth were extracted under local anaesthesia. There was no need for extra pain medication,” said Mxekezo.

She added that the dentist conducted an oral examination on February 25 and there was no sign of inflammation or infection.

“The condition that developed later could be caused by various reasons,” she said.

Mxekezo explained that the delay in transportation from Kuruman Hospital to RMSH resulted from an overlapping emergency that Emergency Medical Services was dealing with on that day.

She indicated that the department was conducting a clinical investigation after receiving a formal complaint. 

“The post-mortem has not been done but the family has been guided on the process. They will be updated on the outcome and a response to the complaint will be provided.” 

She extended her deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

Northern Cape SAPS  spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the police had opened an inquest into the death of a patient who died in transit near Barkly West on February  27.  

“The investigation continues,” he said.