Treatment a crime against humanity

AS a city we can no longer stand by and allow this kind of mismanagement that is taking place. For reasons known only to the provincial government I had for two days an experience that would be regarded as a crime against humanity in any civilised society.

A friend had an emergency requiring medical attention. The only way I am able to tell this story is to tell it as it happened:

Monday

6.30am: Friend collapses due to a clot in an abdominal artery.

7am: Ambulance is called.

5.30pm: Hospital explains that the ambulance that is on its way will need to take him to Motherwell, from there to be transferred to Dora Nginza Hospital and then onto Livingstone Hospital, where his file is held, but has still not actually been sent because there are too few vehicles.

6.30pm: I arrive to take him to hospital.

7pm: Arrive at Livingstone casualty, only to be told that although the patient is unable to walk no wheelchairs or stretchers are available (the exact words used were "we don't know where they are").

7.10pm: I locate a wheeled bed with a broken wheel that had been discarded and get that as near to the entrance as possible. I then carry my friend from my car to the bed (sans mattress) where I lay him.

7.15pm to 1.30am: He is left to lie in pain as no staff are available. An old man falls over from exhaustion and pain, and my friend's wife wheels said bed over to him and lays him on it also.

Next day

7pm: Back to the hospital to find that my friend still has no mattress on his bed and has no ward, there are also no staff around to consult. He has been given no food in the 24 hours he has been in the hospital.

But the glaring thing in the background is that the hospital is ruled by thugs masquerading as security and nothing happens there without their say-so.

I am aware that this is not a private hospital, but only a month ago my father was admitted to George Hospital for surgery and I was astonished at the level of service and care he received. It was as if he was in a private hospital.

I am at a loss for words so please excuse my lack of writing ability. My frustration is almost debilitating.

Louis Hattingh, Port Elizabeth