DA to assist family of Umlazi woman ‘abandoned’ by paramedics
The leader of the
Democratic Alliance in KZN has warned the province's Health Department it can
no longer shift the blame for the multi-billion rand lawsuits it is facing.
Francois Rodgers and other party leadership members were in Umlazi, south of Durban, on Wednesday.
They visited the family of Thembeka Sikhosana, who made headlines in June after it emerged that paramedics allegedly refused to help her.
The paramedics reportedly did not want to climb the stairs at the family's home.
The 37-year-old was eventually taken to hospital by neighbours, where she died.
Rodgers says the DA will assist the family in taking legal action against the Health Department.
READ: More damning claims in case involving 'abandoned' Umlazi patient
"We sit with R26 billion in medical-legal claims against this province in medical healthcare; this is a prime example of why we sit in that position.
“Obviously, if the allegations are found and are upheld, then it is indeed a civil claim against the department."
