Heartbreaking Story: A Mother Learns Of Her Son’s Passing Through A Viral Video

• Radio host Tom London shares a video capturing a young man's final moments at Helen Joseph Hospital.
• Cicilia van Burick identifies the deceased young man as her son, Nicolaas van Burick.
• Nicolaas's mother recounts the harrowing experience of retrieving her son's body from the morgue with little to no assistance from staff.

JOHANNESBURG - Radio talk show host Tom London sparked outrage when he posted a video on September 7, 2024, showing a young man in his final moments at Helen Joseph Hospital. That young man was Nicolaas van Burick, and this is how his mother, Cicilia van Burick, discovered the tragic news of his passing.

Tom London has become a household name for shedding light on the dire conditions at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg through his viral videos. His latest footage captured the heartbreaking reality of a patient's final moments, sparking nationwide outrage.

In the video, London described the dire situation in one of the hospital wards:

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“That guy over there is on the verge of death—he has liver failure. Just two days ago, doctors were performing a lumbar puncture on him while he screamed in agony, and they were laughing. It’s absolutely inhumane.”

It was through this Facebook video that Cicilia van Burick, Nicolaas’s mother, learned of her son’s death. She reached out to Tom London to confirm the heartbreaking news. In a subsequent video, Cicilia shared her heart-wrenching experience, revealing that no doctor ever approached her to explain the cause of her son's death. She added that the hospital staff displayed a shocking lack of empathy throughout the ordeal.

Cicilia recounted how she had to navigate the cold, impersonal process of retrieving her son’s body from the hospital morgue. “I had to go into the fridge myself and help the funeral parlour staff take him out and place him on a tray. Meanwhile, the mortuary staff were sitting there watching a movie. Not a single person said, ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’”

Public Outrage Over Tom London’s Video

The video resonated deeply with South Africans, who expressed both shock and frustration at the situation. While the lack of basic human decency shown by the hospital staff left many appalled, it also reignited discussions about the state of healthcare in the country.

Monica Dos Santos expressed her condolences to Cicilia while emphasizing the importance of compassion in healthcare:

“To the mother who lost her son, I am deeply sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you, and I’m sending you all the love and healing I can. We must stand up for our people and our country. This kind of neglect cannot continue. Medical professionals are meant to serve, nurture, and protect—with empathy, compassion, and kindness.”

Steve St Clair-Hall questioned the accountability of those responsible for overseeing healthcare in the country:

“Why hasn’t Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi commented on this? Where is the Department of Health? Why is there such silence when these issues are so urgent?”

Theo Doyle, however, remained optimistic, believing that change is possible:

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“We will overcome this fight, no matter the challenges we face. Together, we can build a better future for all.”

Gauteng Health MEC Responds Amid Criticism

Following the viral video, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited Helen Joseph Hospital to address the concerns raised. However, many South Africans were dissatisfied with her response, feeling that she failed to address the root causes of the hospital's deteriorating conditions and the unprofessional behavior of its staff.

Public Sentiment Toward the MEC's Visit

The visit did little to quell public anger. Many criticized the MEC for downplaying the severity of the issues highlighted in the video. Instead of offering solutions or acknowledging the suffering of patients and their families, her response came across as dismissive. For Cicilia van Burick and countless others who have experienced similar neglect, the lack of meaningful action from authorities only deepens their pain and frustration.