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:
