The Herald E-Edition

Family seeks answers after woman dies of septicaemia

Health department investigating unsuccessful appendicitis operation on Andiswa Vulani, 26, at Livingstone Hospital

Brandon Nel brandonn@theherald.co.za

A grieving family is on a desperate mission to find answers after their loved one went into Livingstone Hospital for suspected appendicitis but later, with a long cut down her abdomen, died of septicaemia.

Andiswa Vulani, 26, was admitted to hospital on March 22 after she complained of stomach pains.

“When she got there they said it was her appendix, so she was operated on, but later her wounds turned septic,” her grieving cousin, Bulelwa Gqokoma, who lives in Cape Town with the majority of the family, said.

“She was there [in Livingstone] for about a month. She was worried and wanted some answers from the treating doctors, but [claimed] no-one was doing anything.”

Gqokoma’s fears about her cousin’s last moments were confirmed in a WhatsApp voice note she sent from her hospital bed in her final hours there.

“She passed away [at home] on Saturday after suffering from deep pain since the operation ...

“We need answers and her father is not working; he is a pensioner with an amputated leg, and the brother is also not working so they do not even have the means to bury her.

“We also need closure and to understand why [her life was allegedly] gambled with like that.”

Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Yonela Dekeda confirmed that Vulani had received treatment at Livingstone Hospital.

“The department can confirm that the patient in question was brought to Livingstone Hospital on March 22,” Dekeda said.

“Recommendations from the treating doctor required that the patient be admitted on the same day for further management of her condition.”

Dekeda said Vulani had been attended to by a team of medical practitioners until she was transferred to Empilweni TB Hospital on April 13.

She had later died at her home in Wells Estate.

Dekeda said that for confidentiality reasons the department was not in a position to discuss the details of her condition.

“The department will investigate the allegations [made by the family],” she said.

“In principle, once the facts have been determined, we do redress complaint that are received so that the families can have a full understanding of their loved one’s condition and prognosis.

“We wish to communicate our heartfelt condolences to the family. It is never easy to lose a loved one under any circumstances.”

During Vulani’s last moments, she recorded a voice note.

“The doctor didn’t say anything to me or tell me anything,” she said in the audio clip heard by The Herald.

“I didn’t know who to speak to ... I’ll switch off this phone for a while because I think it’s also causing me stress and I’m not getting better,” she said.

The deputy director-general of national health insurance for the national department of health, Dr Nicholas Crisp, said he had visited Livingstone Hospital, among other state hospitals,

at the weekend with a delegation from parliament.

“The portfolio committee of health from the national parliament visited the Nelson Mandela Bay area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Crisp said.

“We also visited Dora Ngiza and Livingstone hospitals ... it was a follow-up visit from previous

visits last year.

“I saw huge backlogs in budgets at Livingstone.

“They have huge difficulties in staff shortages, but there were very specific improvements since November and they have set further targets for the next six months and the committee informed us they will monitor the local staff.”

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2023-06-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

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