You know there is something wrong when....
When you have to wait 5 hours for an ambulance to try save a life only to have to wait another 4 hours for the hearse because the ambulance didn’t get there in time. Sick to think about, isn’t it?
Well sadly this is the reality of a person in South Africa without medical aid, and you can’t classify this person into any class or race as anyone will tell you the first place people cut back on in tough times are medical aid, insurance and so on. Sadly this story is one of my other mom, the mom that brought me up when my biological mom had to go to work, and no this was not a lesbian relationship my other mom is my mom’s domestic worker Catherine. The mom who’s been in my life as that role since I was two and a half, who now that I am out the house I see played a huge part in who I am today. Which is why I can’t just accept what I am about to share with you.
On Sunday the 15th April Elizabeth Radebe was released from hospital and came to stay with her mother Catherine who resides with my mother in Sandton Johannesburg, as her live in domestic of over 30 years. Today Tuesday the 17th April, Catherine came to my mom and sister and said Elizabeth doesn’t look well and she thinks she must call an ambulance. My mom gave her the 10111 number because Elizabeth didn’t have medical aid.
Catherine first started dialling 10111 at 7 am this morning. At some stage she finally managed to get hold of someone and request an ambulance. This was when her wait began... she waited and waited, but Elizabeth couldn’t wait any longer and passed away in her mom’s single bed. Catherine had to wait till 11:20 before the ambulance finally arrived, only after having to walk up to the Gallo Manor Police station to ask them to call the mortuary.
The death piece of paper that the ambulance emergency staff left Catherine and her deceased daughter declares her deceased at 11:47. Which is when I got notified of what had happened? I being the closest left work to go and be there for her. We sat there waiting and waiting.
At 15:45 the hearse finally arrived, and removed Elizabeth’s lifeless body from her mother’s bed. I’m sorry I cannot see how anyone can think this is okay? Would Elizabeth have lived if 10111 wasn’t always engaged? If the ambulance had come when initially called? If she hadn’t been discharged from hospital? Whose fault is it that there are two sons with no mother or father? Why is it that our health system stinks so bad one really can’t actually say where they need to start because it’s all collapsed? Is it the governments fault that money isn’t being used for what it meant to be?
This same day the 17th April, In Sunninghill a taxi had an interesting incident where he was speeding and the traffic light changed and to avoid hitting cars and going through the intersection of LeeuKop and Witkoppen, (DRA Corner),he ramped up the embankment and straight into a telephone line and then slide into the storm drain. When myself and a colleague went to go see what happened and take a photograph because how often do you see a taxi in a storm drain? She started speaking to all the people around and found out that this happened an hour ago and they awaiting someone to help the driver who needed to be checked out. I went back to work and when I heard the fire trucks I went out again and had a look see at their work. They attended to the driver and looked at the accident and tried to figure out probable possible ways to retrieve the vehicle from the drain.
Basically what I want to know is what is up with our Emergency services.... not even the private ones are up to scratch. When someone calls this service it’s because of an emergency, accident, death, shooting, house robbery, How is it okay to allow a traumatised and grieving mother to sit with her dead child’s body all day? Imagine how insignificant she felt and how she has now been shown that life isn’t precious, no one cares, if you have money then you might have more chance of survival than someone without money. Seriously? Is this our reality? Is the man on the street nothing more than some sort of pimp for the ANC government to use in election time? There is clearly no response team unless you’re someone in government.
Everyone has a right to life; a right to have someone believe your life is worth saving.
There is something seriously sick in the world when people are left for hours on end to stare at the cold lifeless body of someone they love dearly because no one but them sees the urgency in this. There is no respect or regard for the living, nor the dead in South Africa.
I want to know for the public;
1. How many people die a day waiting for emergency services to arrive?
2. How many people die due to poor medical conditions in hospital as well as Doctors?
3. How many South Africans really have medical aid and how many really don’t?
4. Is this conducive to a healthy happy country?
5. Are our lives being lost because our standard of education is lower than it’s ever been?
I want to hear how many other people have suffered because of poor health care on the part of our government? I want to know how many people have suffered at the same hands of our murdering ANC government. This is pure Negligence.
Speak up, let’s be heard. Take a stand! For yourself, a friend, a family member, a work colleague. No one deserves to be disregarded like I witnessed today.
Today I am embarrassed and disgusted to be a South African Citizen. No one should have to wait Five hours for an ambulance and the four hours for a hearse. I don’t care who it is.
Other related articles I have found of complaints againts 10111:
Welcome to the real world... unfortunately this has been going on for years now - where have you been?!
ReplyDeleteAs South Africans we have come to accept that we have to pay for our own education, security, emergency and healthcare (and everything else) if we want to survive because our government (voted in by those who can't afford these services) is running our country into the ground. Until the masses catch a wake-up and realise that this is unsustainable and stop voting on racial lines, it is only going to get worse and the lucky few who can afford these basic human rights are going to pay more and more.
I agree with you that this is not right - but what do you suggest in order to change? It's all very well standing up for something but how are you going to make a difference....?
The truth is, as humans we only take a stand on something when we are directly affected by it, otherwise we tend to go about in our own little worlds blissfully unaware or uninterested in the plight of others. It sucks, but it's human nature. As a nation we need to reach the tipping point for anything to change....
(Just a question, not a criticism - why could no-one in your family take your domestic to the Joburg Gen or nearest public hospital if it was dire?)
As I understand it the Lady of the house has to attend work, as she is the sole bread winner. The youngest is still at school, and the author no longer lives at home. An Ambulence (although in hindsight may have been a mistake) would seem the best option at the time for anyone lucky enough to be unfamiler with South African Emergancy Services.
DeleteAlso, brushing off the suffering of individuals as "their lot" based on that they from part of a demographic that generally elected the current party into power (I find) is a bit means-spirited. We have no indication as to the berieved's voting passions, and that shoud not disount her from basic servises.
What you say about human nature is true, however. The best that most of us can do, is try and help our fellow man, even if it is only through the harsh times of grief. And as for what the Author is doing.... This article raises awaresness, does it not?
BTW huge sympathy to the loss of someone so dear.... it is a disgrace that people get treated so badly in life as well as death in SA.
ReplyDeleteThe stories I have heard from various domestics of mine / my family etc about how they suffer in the hands of public healthcare are shocking. Unfortunately, they only know this way of life and don't realise they don't have to accept it... comes down to education. Vicious cycle really.
Its disgusting and I wanna take this matter right up to the most corrupt of them all. I blame our president for the plight of the services and I blame him for negligence of the doctors who released Elizabeth, negilence on the operator who took the call, negligence the ambulance services for not rushing to the emergency and them leaving poor Catherine grieving and still having to deal with her deceased daughters body.
DeleteToday I make a stand to get this message out there. To make people aware that 10111 is a death sentence.... your better off calling a friend.