By OBAKENG MAJE

The family of the deceased, Kgotlaetsile Mompati (35) in Maphoitsile village near Taung, blame the North West Health Department for his death. According to the deceased’s brother, Clifford Mompati, Kgotlaetsile died a few hours after he was vaccinated.

“My brother complained of headache, dizziness and swollen arm. He also had no appetite during the night of vaccination. So, as a family, we are concerned because it is crystal clear that proper assessment was not done.

“He had chronic disease and we expected the nurses to treat him with high care because people with chronic diseases are at increased risk for complications. Now, he had severely allergic reactions towards the vaccine,” he said.

Mompati also said there were allegations that the nurses who were on duty at that time were under the influence of alcohol.  The deceased died  on 8 November 2021 at around 10pm and was buried on 14 November 2021.

Meanwhile, the North West Health Department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane refuted these allegations. Lekgethwane said on 7 November 2021, the Vaccination Team of the Greater Taung Sub-District, went to Maphoitsile Community Hall for vaccination.

“On arrival, the hall was booked for a gospel concert for Moruti Tube. The organizers of the concert then denied the vaccination team access to the hall, claiming they paid for the entire premises. They demanded co-payment for the use of the hall,” he said.

Lekgethwane further said the Vaccination Team then requested a space to vaccinate at a nearby house and the owner gave them permission. He added that the team vaccinated under a tree.

“On weekends, managers are allocated to support the vaccination teams. The team at Maphoitsile village was under the leadership of the Acting Assistant Director Community Health Service.

“The deceased was also a chronic patient who was on hypertension medication. The cause of death is not known to the department. So, the department would comment on the cause of death based on information provided on the death certificate,” he said.

Lekgethwane said their Sub-District has never experienced the death of a patient after being vaccinated. He said the cause of death can only be established through an investigation and it is a fallacy that nurses were under the influence of alcohol while vaccinating patients.

“The nurses were not under the influence of alcohol and they were supervised by a manager. The department would act if substantive evidence is brought forward to support the allegations.

“As department, we would also welcome such information and investigate. We would take appropriate steps if any official is found to have been under the influence of alcohol whilst on duty,” concluded Lekgethwane.

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