Family claim Indian medical manager was racist

If we reduce this matter to racism, it would be an incorrect focus. It is really about the system which is in place that is not functioning, says the EFF

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

AN INDIAN medical manager at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, in Durban, is under investigation by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health following the death of an intern doctor who was allegedly forced to report for duty while being “quite sick”.

She has been placed on precautionary suspension.

Dr Alulutho Mazwi, 25, was doing his in-service training at the hospital's paediatric unit.

The Department of Health has denied allegations of racism.

However, Alulutho’s uncle, Vumani Mazwi, said he believed that racism was the root cause of his nephew's death.

He told the POST that his nephew was diabetic, but it was “not too serious”.

“He did gain a lot of weight which could have caused related issues for him. Alulutho collapsed while at work. He was not fit to work, but he was forced to return to work by his medical manager.

“He told his colleague that he was feeling weak and out of breath. The medical manager called some doctors to check him, but he collapsed. He died while they were rushing him to the ward,” said Mazwi.

“I have a feeling that the issue surrounding his death is racism. Before he went back to work, he complained about feeling sick, but his medical manager refused to listen.

“Despite having a doctor's certificate, the medical manager took him to the hospital’s clinic to verify if he was really sick. She blatantly undermined his initial doctor's orders.

“When the clinic checked Alulutho, they agreed that he should not work. But the medical manager did not listen. If she only listened to him, he would still be with us,” said Mazwi.