Gang threatens heart patient

2003-05-09 11:00

Petro Bosman

Cape Town - Two days after a 41-year-old man was transferred from a Tygerberg Hospital intensive-care unit to a private room, three men threatened and robbed him at knifepoint.

The man, who had had a heart bypass operation, was reported missing from his room later that day.

Panel-beater Anton van Eck of Boston said he was sleeping in his room on Tuesday afternoon.

When he awoke, three men were in the room with him and he saw that the door had been closed.

When he tried to press the emergency button, the men threatened him with a knife.

Van Eck said they took about R30 from his wallet and searched for a cellphone. They left after threatening him again.

Tanja van Eck, his wife, said she was upset that the hospital did not tell her about the robbery.

She said that, although the hospital apologised for the incident, they did insinuate that the hospital "has lawyers" when Van Eck mentioned filing a complaint.

The hospital was not aware of anybody who would make such a comment to Van Eck.

A case of mistaken identity

Then, hospital staff phoned Mrs Van Eck on Tuesday about 21:00 to say her husband had been missing from his room since 19:00.

When she wanted to go to the hospital, she was told security personnel were searching for her husband and they would let her know if he was found.

About 22:00 she was told nursing staff had mistaken her husband for another patient and Van Eck was, in actual fact, safe and sound in his room.

Mrs Van Eck said her husband was still in shock when he was discharged on Thursday and he had received no counselling after the robbery in the hospital.

She claims nursing staff told her there was not enough security staff at the hospital during the day.

Speaking from home, Van Eck said the nursing staff was good, and supportive.

A spokesperson for Tygerberg said the hospital regretted the incident.

"However, visitors cannot be prevented from entering the hospital. We are investigating the incident and will look at ways to improve security."

- Die Burger