A nurse at Peddie’s Nompumelelo hospital has been suspended after two patients died last week, allegedly after being given the wrong medication.
The provincial department of health has launched an investigation into the matter, health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo confirmed.
He said the nurse had been put on precautionary suspension after the deaths of Sindiswa Koyana, 30, of Leqeni village and Phindiwe Mkatali, 36, from Tyhefu village.
“There is a forensic investigation that is being done after the two patients died in the hospital. The doctor at the hospital prescribed what should be given to them but it is alleged that the nurse gave them something else,” said Kupelo.
The two women were admitted at different times, but both with stomach cramps and vomiting.
Relative Noluvuyo Mali called for the investigation after the death of her sister, Koyana, who was admitted on March 1. “The nurse gave them injections and they collapsed in front of her,” said Mali. “A third patient ran away as she saw that the two were having seizures.”
Koyana was taken to the hospital in the early hours by family after vomiting and complaining of an upset stomach.
“She arrived at the hospital at 1am on Monday and on Tuesday, when we visited her, she was fine and talking to everyone,” said Mali.
“We were shocked to get the news that she had passed away.”
Tabisa Mkatali said her daughter Phindiwe was admitted to the hospital late in February. “She was about to be discharged and come home,” said Mkatali.
“I received a call that said I must run to the hospital and I was shocked to be called into a separate room where I was told that my daughter has died.”
Both families said they were yet to be told what what had caused the deaths of their loved ones.
“We are still waiting for the results of the postmortem,” said another of Koyana’s sisters, Fundiswa.
The Daily Dispatch saw both women’s death certificates. They state that the cause of death is being investigated.
Fundiswa said all they wanted was answers.
“We are lost, we need answers. What happened to them? Why did they die? What was in that injection?”
The families are to consult with lawyers about their next move.
“The department needs to answer but through our lawyers. For now we are busy with funeral arrangements,” said Fundiswa.
The matter is also being investigated by Peddie police. Spokesman Constable Mkhululi Mayoli said an inquest docket had been opened but there were no arrests.
Kupelo said autopsies would determine the causes of death and subsequent actions to be taken.
Wrong medication kills 2
The provincial department of health has launched an investigation into the matter, health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo confirmed.
He said the nurse had been put on precautionary suspension after the deaths of Sindiswa Koyana, 30, of Leqeni village and Phindiwe Mkatali, 36, from Tyhefu village.
“There is a forensic investigation that is being done after the two patients died in the hospital. The doctor at the hospital prescribed what should be given to them but it is alleged that the nurse gave them something else,” said Kupelo.
The two women were admitted at different times, but both with stomach cramps and vomiting.
Relative Noluvuyo Mali called for the investigation after the death of her sister, Koyana, who was admitted on March 1. “The nurse gave them injections and they collapsed in front of her,” said Mali. “A third patient ran away as she saw that the two were having seizures.”
Koyana was taken to the hospital in the early hours by family after vomiting and complaining of an upset stomach.
“She arrived at the hospital at 1am on Monday and on Tuesday, when we visited her, she was fine and talking to everyone,” said Mali.
“We were shocked to get the news that she had passed away.”
Tabisa Mkatali said her daughter Phindiwe was admitted to the hospital late in February. “She was about to be discharged and come home,” said Mkatali.
“I received a call that said I must run to the hospital and I was shocked to be called into a separate room where I was told that my daughter has died.”
Both families said they were yet to be told what what had caused the deaths of their loved ones.
“We are still waiting for the results of the postmortem,” said another of Koyana’s sisters, Fundiswa.
The Daily Dispatch saw both women’s death certificates. They state that the cause of death is being investigated.
Fundiswa said all they wanted was answers.
“We are lost, we need answers. What happened to them? Why did they die? What was in that injection?”
The families are to consult with lawyers about their next move.
“The department needs to answer but through our lawyers. For now we are busy with funeral arrangements,” said Fundiswa.
The matter is also being investigated by Peddie police. Spokesman Constable Mkhululi Mayoli said an inquest docket had been opened but there were no arrests.
Kupelo said autopsies would determine the causes of death and subsequent actions to be taken.
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