84-year-old wheelchair bound chronic patient, receives no treatment, and given appointment for the following month. This happened yesterday (Wednesday, 15 March 2023), at the General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital (formerly Stanger Hospital). I was angered and shocked at how my grandmother was given an appointment, the following month, to see the specialist doctor. Because she missed her appointment, in spite off there being no patients in the queue, she receives no treatment.
Looking for concrete reasons
I spoke to the nursing manager of the OPD, whose explanation, matched in part, what the public relations officer explained. When two explanations, from two hospital officials differ, that is a red flag. The Batho Pele principles, that govern healthcare in South Africa, kept ringing in my head:
- Consultation,
- Service Standards,
- Access,
- Courtesy,
- Information,
- Openness and Transparency,
- Redress,
- Value for money,
- Encouraging Innovation and Rewarding Excellence,
- Customer Impact, and Leadership and Strategic Direction.
Empathy for the guardian?
The “Courtesy” aspect alone, is significant, because I explained to the skin clinic nurse, that my grandma missed her appointment due to a family emergency. That emergency was my left foot which had a double infection, and I am diabetic, as well as epileptic. Due to that I was unable to bring my grandma to the hospital. I was unable to walk.
I live in an apartment complex, whereby I have to methodically help my grandma, step by step, to traverse steps and broken tarred terrain, to even get to a car.
Doctor there is a patient, but…
My multi-faceted gripe, finds perspectives of a citizen, a grandson, and at times; a third person freelance journalist. A unique fusion that I use to bring to this fore. Now, we all live in a world with rules, that may make things seem like our lives are linear and rigid. However, the world is more open because there are people that have unique circumstances.
A hospital doctor, from a clinic/department; refusing to see a patient, is beyond me in a general; or universal sense. According to their mission statement:
“General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital is committed to providing a compassionate high quality, professional and specialized regional and district level of healthcare to the community of iLembe district.”
If patient/s who visited this hospital department, did not keep their appointment, they would be asked to come the following month? I would love to get a log: of patients missing their appointments; coming to the hospital, and being sent away to come back at a later date.
Whatever reason they give for this faux pas, the public will remember this incident, and be embittered!
If you have had a similar experience, or felt that you were unfairly treated at the General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital (formerly known as Stanger Hospital, then feel free to send your story to vernongmhk@gmail.com, and maybe it will be featured on this website.