Family seek justice after mother's death due to alleged hospital negligence

NO MEDICAL AID

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

A PIETERMARITZBURG family are seeking legal recourse against two hospitals for alleged negligence following the death of their 70-year-old mother, Indranee Rajah.

Her son, Shaun Rajah, said they had consulted an attorney this week after their mother was taken to a private hospital and to Northdale Hospital after a pain in her neck.

He said they were in the process of instituting civil and criminal proceedings “of all parties involved”.

Rajah said his mother, of Copesville, fell ill on the morning of July 12.

“My brother, Odain, called me early that morning. He said our mother was sick and they were rushing her to the private hospital. Her neck was sore and she was groaning in pain.”

He said his mother was diabetic and had high blood pressure.

Rajah and his sister, Odelle, met Odain at the private hospital. He said they were informed that their mother had a stroke, which had led to a heart attack.

“My mother was in pain and could not respond. The doctors said: ‘We think she had a stroke’.

“They brought out the ECG machine and found that she also had a heart attack. They asked for her to be admitted, but she did not have medical aid. They then phoned Northdale Hospital and requested they send an ambulance. But the staff from Northdale Hospital said it was not possible because there were no ambulances available.”

An emotional Rajah said he then took his mother in his vehicle to the government hospital.