Pietermaritzburg - A 2-year-old girl allegedly admitted to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital for corrective heart surgery went home afterwards unable to walk, see or hear, allegedly because of medical negligence.
Her father, a bricklayer from Phoenix, is suing the KZN premier and MEC for health for R26 million in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
Court papers said that in February 2010, the girl, who was 2 at the time, was taken to the hospital to be examined and treated for a congenital heart disorder known as Tetralogy of Fallot.
She needed surgery and returned to the hospital on March 29. The next day she underwent surgery during which she was anaesthetised. She was unable to breath on her own and an endotracheal tube was inserted to enable her to breathe. She was then placed on a ventilator.
After surgery, she was transferred to the intensive care unit for post-operative care and monitoring. While there, the tube allegedly became dislodged and she was deprived of oxygen and went into cardiac arrest.
She suffered significant and irreversible brain damage.
The court papers said she required, and would continue to require, medical care and attention and the services of medical specialists.
She suffered, and would continue to suffer, pain, shock and discomfort. In addition, she suffered loss of “the amenities of life” and would suffer future losses.
The department is defending the claim. It denied that the child was ever admitted to the hospital.
The matter was adjourned for more papers to be filed.
The Mercury
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