E Cape denies oxygen death

2008-07-21 13:06

Port Elizabeth - The Eastern Cape health department on Monday dismissed claims that an XDR-TB patient in a Port Elizabeth hospital died because there was not enough oxygen to treat her.

Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the department was "gravely concerned" about individuals who continued to "grossly exaggerate" conditions at the Jose Pearson Tuberculosis Hospital.

"There's enough oxygen at the hospital... there's even a surplus of oxygen. The patient died of complications related to her condition," he said.

"I'm not at liberty to divulge the cause of her death, but it's not related to oxygen."

The Herald reported on Monday that a 19-year-old girl suffered an asthma attack in the high care ward and died on Saturday, apparently because there was no oxygen to treat her.

Patients had reportedly expressed concerns about the oxygen supply for months, but nothing had been done about it.

Kupelo said challenges at the hospital had been addressed continuously and attended to. He said the report was part of a "malicious campaign".

- SAPA