Staff Reporter
INGWEDIVA MediPark has been accused of medical negligence after a woman who underwent knee replacement surgery suffered a broken left thigh bone post-surgery, resulting in paralysis. In the pursuit of justice, W. Horn Attorneys, on behalf of the patient, have called for an investigation into Ongwediva’s actions and requested that they cover the patient’s medical expenses.
“Our client underwent left knee replacement surgery on 20th September 2023, performed by Dr. Ali Nasar, who confirmed the success of the knee surgery. However, on 21st September 2023, around 10:00, an X-ray of the left knee revealed a broken left femur. Dr. Nasar could not explain how this occurred and mentioned that such fractures are rare, occurring in only 5% of patients undergoing this type of surgery,” stated Wilmarie Horn-Bronkhorst, from W. Horn Attorneys.
Horn-Bronkhorst added that it was also suggested that the femur fracture might have happened during the transfer of the client from one bed to another. Furthermore, on 21st September 2023, physiotherapist Wayne Damons initiated physiotherapy with the client without taking the X-ray into account.
“Despite our client’s agonizing cries of pain, he continued with physiotherapy. Nurse Matota intervened, instructing Mr. Damons to stop and subsequently showing him the X-ray confirming the femur fracture. Only then did he cease the physiotherapy. Our client now requires a second surgery to repair the femur fracture, incurring additional medical expenses, an extended hospital stay, and an extended rehabilitation period. Since our client is allergic to morphine and must receive alternative pain medication, which appears to be less effective, she remains in constant pain and suffering,” Horn-Bronkhorst explained.
In light of these events, W. Horn Attorneys have formally requested an internal investigation into the surgical procedure performed on their client, the protocols and procedures followed during the transfer from the theatre bed to the ICU bed, and the cause of the femur fracture, as well as identifying the person(s) responsible for it.
Additionally, the legal representatives have called for an investigation into the negligence of the physiotherapist for not reviewing the X-ray prior to commencing physiotherapy and for mistreating the client even after Nurse Matota instructed him to stop.
W. Horn Attorneys have also requested that all theatre and bedside notes from 20th and 21st September 2023 be directly provided to the client (due to medical confidentiality concerns).
“We further request Ongwediva Medi-Park to cover all additional medical expenses related to the second surgery, additional treatments and medications, extended hospitalization, prolonged physiotherapy, and additional rehabilitation aids (including the possibility of a wheelchair and a walking frame, as crutches were originally assigned),” Horn-Bronkhorst concluded.
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