In a distressing incident on Saturday at Northam Clinic in South Africa’s Limpopo, a patient bleeding from number of bodily orifices was refused entry by a security guard and subsequently passed away at the facility’s entrance.
The Limpopo Department of Health disclosed that the patient’s family had rushed him to the clinic around 03:00 on Saturday, seeking urgent medical attention.
Despite the critical condition of the patient, the security guard turned away the family, citing load shedding as the reason for the facility’s closure, and provided them with emergency medical service contact numbers instead.
Regrettably, by the time the ambulance arrived, the patient had already succumbed to his condition, a fact only relayed to the on-duty nurses after his passing, as reported by the department.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, MEC Phophi Ramathuba emphasized the contradiction between denying access to essential healthcare services and the government’s commitment to upholding fundamental human rights.
She further urged security guards to fulfill their duties without making medical judgments beyond their expertise. Ramathuba extended sincere condolences to the deceased’s family.
Clarifying the situation, the department’s spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha, asserted that the clinic remains operational even during load shedding, contradicting the guard’s decision to deny entry.
Meanwhile, Eskom, the power utility company, declared Stage 6 load shedding in recent days, enabling the replenishment of emergency reserves. However, as of Sunday midday, Eskom reverted to Stage 4 load shedding.
