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Worries over fate of MOI surgery patient
2007-11-27 15:14:16
By Correspondent Felister Peter
The Health and Social Welfare Ministry has found itself at the receiving end of criticism over the delay in taking Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute (MOI) patient Emmanuel Didas abroad for promised specialised treatment.
He was admitted to the Dar es Salaam-based referral hospital a few weeks ago for a leg operation but strangely ended undergoing head surgery.
MOI Director Laurence Maseru said in an interview with The Guardian in the city yesterday that they wrote the ministry a letter on the matter last week but have received no word yet on when Didas will actually leave.
The decision to take him to India for further treatment was made after his condition worsened, as part of his body is paralysed and he can neither speak nor eat on his own.
Health and Social Welfare minister David Mwakyusa confirmed to journalists on Friday that Didas would be taken to India, adding that the patient himself had consented to the decision.
The decision came hardly a day after another patient caught in the surgery mix-up saga at the hospital, secondary school student Emmanuel Mgaya, died apparently from post-surgery complications.
Mgaya, who had been referred from Njombe in Iringa Region for head surgery, ended up with a leg operation. He later underwent head surgery only days to his death.
Sixt Marishay, a brother to Didas, said in separate remarks yesterday that he had held consultations with Prof Mwakyusa last week on the ministry`s plan to take Didas to India ``but that was the last we have heard from the Government since``.
``I have not been given any further word on the travel arrangements. So, we can’t really say when or if the trip will be on although he (Didas) is still in unsatisfactory condition,`` added Marishay.
The rare mix-up, which left many in shock and disbelief, occurred on November 1, 2007 when doctors at MOI swapped the files of Emmanuel Didas and the late Emmanuel Mgaya.
Didas, a motorcycle mechanic based at Ilala in the city, was admitted to the hospital’s Sewa Haji Ward with knee injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was to be operated on to remove a blood clot in the leg.
Mgaya was referred to MOI from Kibena Hospital in Njombe District after developing a nagging headache and doctors recommended that he undergo a head operation. He died last Thursday after having survived head surgery on Monday.
The Health ministry has formed a new committee to investigate the matter after a first one picked by the hospital’s authorities presented a report that the ministry found badly wanting.
The new team is led by Prof William Mahalu from Bugando Hospital in Mwanza and began its work yesterday. It is supposed to submit its report to Prof David Mwakyusa on December 2.
The minister said the formation of the second team was well-intentioned and sought to come up with a comprehensive report that would enable the Government to make a proper decision on the matter.
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