DA calls for full investigation into horror

incident at Durbans Phoenix mortuary

by Dr Rishigen Viranna MPL - DA KZN Alternate Spokesperson on Health
Date: 08 December 2016
Release: Immediate
Type: Press Statement

The Democratic Alliance in KZN calls for an urgent and extensive investigation by KZNs
Health department after a young man - the victim of a motorcycle accident in KwaMashu
on Monday night - was found to be alive in a fridge at the Phoenix mortuary on Tuesday
morning.
The shocking incident took place while the DA was conducting an oversight visit at the
Mahatma Gandhi hospital, adjacent to the morgue, on Tuesday.
According to information received, the patient was declared dead at the crash scene by
Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) paramedics and transported to Phoenix
Mortuary where his body was placed in the mortuary fridges.
However, when the family arrived for identification purposes on Tuesday morning, a
pulse and breathing efforts were found in the patient by mortuary staff who then
immediately transported him to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital for resuscitation.
Despite a five hour period of CPR and warming process by doctors, nurses and staff,
the patient unfortunately passed away. Family members were present and received
extensive counselling throughout the entire process.
The DA has written to the hospital management to commend the efforts of the staff to
attempt resuscitation. Despite staff shortages they tried their best to resuscitate the
patient, with some even staying on after their shifts had ended to assist.
This horrific event has again highlighted the extreme shortcomings within the KZN
Health department's EMRS & Mortuary services.
The DA is fully aware that both these services in the province are understaffed and
overworked. We have repeatedly warned MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo and his department
that this needs to be addressed.

That a patient who is still technically alive can be declared dead and placed in a
mortuary fridge is horrific and clearly shows how dysfunctional and neglected KZNs
EMRS and mortuary services are.
The DA expects the MEC to immediately launch an independent and transparent
investigation and to take action against all responsible.
Ultimately the breakdown of health services rests on the shoulders of the MEC and this
horrific case again highlights the failures of MEC Dhlomo.

Media Enquiries
Dr Rishigen Viranna MPL
DA KZN Alternate Spokesperson on Health
083 443 6418

Lauren Silen
Media Liaison to the DA in the KZN Legislature
083 779 9009

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