An 18-year-old matric learner from Motherwell, Gqeberha, has been unable to return to school following complications from an appendicitis surgery at a public hospital.

Her family claims the hospital failed her, leading to two additional surgeries. She has been in and out of the hospital due to persistent illness, experiencing severe pain and bowel dysfunction, which has prevented her from attending school.

Despite undergoing three surgeries, her condition continues to worsen. She also relies on stoma bags, which her family claims the hospital has not supplied adequately.

“This has affected my life in such a way that I cannot go back to school this year and do my matric. I have lost weight and can no longer live life normally. I last went to school in November last year, and it breaks my heart to see other learners going to school,” she said.

Her father described their hospital experience as emotionally draining.

“I felt neglected by Livingstone for discharging this child in this condition. Their side stories are up and down; others are telling me one thing, and others another. I need any help because we are pensioners, especially in terms of transporting this child back and forth to the hospital. I fear taking her back to that hospital because she might not receive proper treatment.”

Her mother has called for government intervention.

“To the Department of Health, I want my child to get help and heal so that she can be like other children. I want all the pain she is suffering from to be gone. They must work with other departments to resolve this,” she said.

Provincial Department of Health spokesperson Siyanda Manana confirmed that an investigation is underway regarding the family’s complaints.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education has stated that it will develop a support plan once the Department of Health determines when the learner can resume her studies.