A Tragic Story Of Medical Negligence: A 13-Year-Old’s Death Sparks Outrage

• Tumiso Ntsoane was rushed to the Pholosong Regional Hospital after suffering a gunshot wound.
• The grieving family claims that doctors failed to properly treat the boy before discharging him prematurely.
• South Africans are demanding urgent intervention after yet another tragedy strikes a public hospital in Gauteng.

JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng public healthcare system is once again under scrutiny after the heartbreaking death of a 13-year-old boy at Pholosong Hospital. This incident has reignited calls for reform and accountability in South Africa’s struggling public health sector.

Tumiso Ntsoane’s family is now speaking out, accusing the hospital of failing to properly examine and treat their son before sending him home. Their emotional pleas have struck a chord with many South Africans who are all too familiar with the challenges faced in public healthcare facilities.

A Night That Changed Everything: The Stray Bullet

It all began on an ordinary evening when Tumiso, just 13 years old, was watching TV with his twin brother at home. Suddenly, a loud bang shattered the calm. His mother, Selina Ntsoane, recalls the terrifying moment vividly: “I heard the noise and saw a hole in the roof. When I rushed out of the bedroom, I asked my boys what had happened. Tumiso told me he was hurt, and when he touched his head, blood was pouring out. That’s when panic set in.”

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“We found the bullet on the floor. My heart sank as I realized how close we came to losing him right there,” she added.

The family acted quickly, calling an ambulance to take Tumiso to the nearest hospital. What followed, however, would prove to be a nightmare they never expected.

Questions Raised Over Hospital Negligence

Selina Ntsoane described the harrowing experience at the hospital, where her son received minimal care despite being shot. “When we arrived, Tumiso was still able to walk on his own. But instead of conducting a thorough examination, the doctors simply gave him a pain injection and stitched up his wound. No X-rays were performed, and he wasn’t admitted for observation. They discharged him almost immediately.”

Tragically, the family couldn’t secure transportation back home that night, so Tumiso ended up sleeping on a hospital bench. It wasn’t long before his condition took a turn for the worse. “By 10 p.m., he became unresponsive. I kept telling the nurses and doctors that something was wrong, but they dismissed my concerns, saying the injection would make him feel better. Even after I insisted, they told me he’d already been discharged,” Selina recounted.

“By morning, we managed to take him home, hoping he would recover. But when his condition deteriorated further, we rushed him back to the hospital. Unfortunately, it was too late. He was pronounced dead upon arrival.”

The Gauteng Health Department is now investigating the matter, and police are treating it as a case of murder. Meanwhile, the family is left grappling with unimaginable grief and unanswered questions.

Public Outcry: A Cry for Change

News of Tumiso’s death has sparked outrage across the nation, with citizens expressing frustration over the state of public healthcare in South Africa. Many are calling on the government to take immediate action to address these systemic issues.

Aqeelah Karim voiced her concerns:

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“This is the harsh reality we face every day in our public hospitals. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. May Tumiso rest in peace.”

Michellê Liebenberg echoed similar sentiments:

“When government officials get sick, where do they go? Private hospitals! They know exactly what’s wrong with the public system, yet they turn a blind eye to our suffering.”

Lenzo Langa criticized the push for National Health Insurance (NHI):

“While officials focus on implementing NHI, they seem to have forgotten about improving the current state of public hospitals.”

Simone Shawnice Ntimbane shared her own negative experience at the same hospital:

“Just last month, I visited Pholosong Hospital for severe pain. They refused to help me unless I took a pregnancy test. Even though I was already a registered patient awaiting blood test results, they ignored my file until my husband intervened. Only then did they finally examine me and provide treatment.”

Philly Nhlapo summed up the collective sentiment:

“Government hospitals? Disgusting. 💔”

Gauteng Health Department Vows to Improve Services

Amid growing public pressure, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has promised to enhance conditions at public healthcare facilities throughout the province. MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, emphasized the need for a safer healthcare environment.

These assurances come on the heels of recent controversies involving a viral video and a patient suicide at two Gauteng hospitals, as reported by Briefly News. While promises of improvement are welcome, many remain skeptical until tangible changes are implemented.

As South Africans continue to demand accountability, the tragic loss of Tumiso serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform in the country’s public healthcare system. For the Ntsoane family, justice and closure remain elusive, but their story has ignited a national conversation that cannot be ignored.