Family looks for answers after death

A resident from eMalahleni died recently in Witbank Provincial Hospital and the family is looking for answers after his sudden death.

Mr Neels Terblanche (53) fell out of his wheelchair and could not get back into the chair as both his legs were in a bandage due to sores that had developed on his legs.

Mr Neels Terblanche (53) was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, January 3 as he was very ill and had heart problems as well.

Both Terblanche’s legs were bandaged up as he had developed gangrene in his legs many years ago. So his legs were dead and he had many sores on his legs which had to be cleaned every day.

Allegedly after three hours on the floor eventually security guards helped Neels back into the wheelchair and into bed.

When Terblanche was admitted into hospital he was very confused so in the hospital he kept pulling out the drips. So the staff tied up his arms with bandages so that he could not pull out the drips.

Mr Neels Terblanche’s elbow allegedly got hurt during the fall at Witbank Provincial Hospital.

“We had to ask the nursing staff time and time again to change his bandages,” said his daughter, Ms Marna Terblanche.

According to the family, food was just placed near Terblanche, but it was not always given to him.
What shocked the family the most is one day Terblanche allegedly fell out of his wheelchair onto the floor at one stage and his family members noticed nursing staff laughing at him on the ground.

Nurse stands and looks at Mr Neels Terblanche as he sits on the floor, while his daughter turns her back as she does not know what to do anymore.

Since the Tuesday he has been admitted he had been on oxygen and after being off the oxygen for a while, his condition was getting worse and he was getting weaker.

Allegedly the family kept on asking the staff to please help get him back into bed and on the oxygen.

“After three hours the security came to help, after we stood there shouting for help,” said Marna.

Mr Neels Terblanche (53) that died in Witbank Provincial Hospital and the family has many questions.

Terblanche’s elbow was hurt due to the fall and it was all swollen, red and stood like an egg.
It’s alleged that on Saturday evening, January 7 Terblanche was given an injection to help him sleep.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, January 8 at 02:00 the family received a call that Terblanche had died.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, January 12 at 11:00 in Boschkop.
Terblanche leaves behind his daughter and his son Stefan Terblanche.

An email was sent to the spokesperson from the Mpumalanga Health Department regarding this incident.
Mr Nolwazi Ndlovu from the Department of Health media liaison office commented,

“I am currently attending to the query and will respond soon.”

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