Hospital drama: 450kg man rejected

4579-Shammy Rudemeyer partner of Corrie La Cranje how is 400Kg and been admitted at Johannesburg Hospital yesterday(Wednesday). Picture:Dumisani Dube 01.07.2015

4579-Shammy Rudemeyer partner of Corrie La Cranje how is 400Kg and been admitted at Johannesburg Hospital yesterday(Wednesday). Picture:Dumisani Dube 01.07.2015

Published Jul 2, 2015

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Johannesburg - For more than three months, Corrie le Grange remained bedridden at his home after he was turned away from more than 10 private hospitals – because he weighed 450kg.

An upfront payment of R100 000 was required before the morbidly obese man could be admitted to private health care.

On Wenesday, however, Le Grange’s family heaved a sigh of relief when he was finally admitted to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

But that was not before the drama at his home in Edenvale, Ekurhuleni. A group of about six people, including his neighbours, had to be called in to help his family carry him to a VW Kombi parked in front of the house. Carrying him proved a mission, so they had to use ropes to haul the 60-year-old into the vehicle.

As the “ambulance” stopped at the hospital, the entrance to the casualty section became a hive of activity when he had to be offloaded and taken to a ward. Media cameras clicked away, while several curious bystanders looked on.

Le Grange was successfully wheeled into the hospital on a gurney, after numerous attempts. But there was another hurdle to overcome. There were no beds big enough to accommodate the new patient, who arrived just after 2pm.

Hospital management had to scramble to procure a special bed for him. The family had brought a special bed for him, but it was deemed not suitable.

Le Grange was admitted to hospital after his desperate family contacted the Gauteng Department of Health when his health deteriorated.

The department did not disclose his illness, but The Star understands that he suffers from ascites.

The website healthline.com describes ascites as sickness caused when fluids build up in the abdomen.

“Ascites usually occurs when the liver stops working properly. Fluid fills the space between the lining of the abdomen and the organs,” the website states.

A woman who identified herself as Shammy Rademeyer, understood to be Le Grange’s partner, was hysterical as he was being treated. She wailed outside casualty’s reception.

“All I want is for them to give Corrie the best possible care. I spoke to the chief executive; he said they were going to put mattresses on the floor for Corrie,” she said.

Gauteng Health Department spokesman Steve Mabona said Le Grange would remain in hospital until his condition improved.

It would never turn him away, he said.

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The Star

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