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The DA in Limpopo is calling for a full-scale investigation following the death of a 12-year-old who was abandoned by an ambulance from Mugodeni Grace Health Centre.

The young girl from Nkamabako, Tzaneen was taken to the Letaba Hospital on Friday 29 September, allegedly suffering from severe headaches, stomach pain and was too weak to walk on her own.  She was sent for x-rays and then discharged as the hospital could not find anything wrong with her.

On Sunday morning the 1st of October the family, with assistance from the DA councillor in the area, called for an ambulance as the child was desperately ill and while still breathing, was unresponsive.

The ambulance from the Mugodeni Grace Health Care Centre arrived shortly afterwards.

However, the EMS crew from the hospital, who seemingly entered the home with no equipment checked the child’s eyes and mouth, and then stated that they were not equipped to assist the child. They further advised that they had a pregnant woman in the ambulance and would have to call another ambulance from Letaba, and then left the child.

Two hours later, the second ambulance arrived from Letaba, who declared the child had died.

The DA has for years raised the issue of lack of ambulances and EMS facilities in the province, their concerns have however been ignored, at the cost of lives to the poor and vulnerable.

We call for an in-depth enquiry on this case, and the MEC for Health, Dr Ramathuba must account for the treatment the child received at Letaba Hospital, qualifications of EMS personnel involved, the lack of equipment in the ambulances, and their disregard of a patient who was obviously seriously ill.

We would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased child.

Issued by Lindy Wilson MPL - DA Limpopo Spokesperson for Health