Man demands millions after amputation

A resident of Katima Mulilo is suing a private hospital in the town for N$9.5 million in compensation after his right leg had to be amputated above the knee. This occurred after the arteries in his leg were damaged to such an extent that it led to a constriction of blood flow.Ollins Mabuku Mulatehi underwent a laparotomy at the Enkehaus Private Hospital in November 2020 to investigate and confirm possible appendicitis due to severe abdominal and back pain. A laparotomy is a surgical procedure involving a surgical incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. His appendix was never removed by Dr Kombo Bakashala, and the ongoing pain he also experienced in his right leg worsened to such an extent that he was transferred to the private hospital in Rundu and later to the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek. It was determined that his leg was "clinically dead" due to a lack of blood flow, and it had to be amputated.Different versionsBakashala, along with Enkehaus Private Hospital and the health ministry, who are named as the defendants, said in a statement submitted to court that there is no connection between an exploratory laparotomy and the occurrence of an artery injury.According to him, any arterial bleeding would have caused Mulatehi to bleed out and die immediately on the operating table. Bakashala also stated that no vascular repair was performed during the laparotomy because he lacked the skills for it and it would require the expertise of a vascular surgeon.Mulatehi was initially admitted to the state hospital in Katima Mulilo on 20 November 2020, after complaining of severe abdominal and back pain, but was later transferred to Enkehaus Private Hospital, where Bakashala took over the reins of his treatment.The doctor&#039;s statement noted that he suspected it was appendicitis and performed a laparotomy. Mulatehi&#039;s appendix could not be removed, and Bakashala suggested that it be done when he fully recovers.Mulatehi complained of pain in his right leg again, while his calf was slightly swollen and warm. According to Bakashala, he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and it was decided the same evening to transfer him to Rundu Private Hospital for a Doppler ultrasound and scan since these services were not available at Enkehaus at that time.Sworn statement Mulatehi alleges in his sworn statement that his right leg had scratch marks and was swollen after the laparotomy. He claims that he was only attended to the next day and was later informed by some of the staff that the cause of the pain in his leg was due to an accident following the laparotomy while he was in the recovery room.Mulatehi allegedly woke up from anaesthesia, behaved aggressively, and kicked his right leg against a metal object. Because his condition did not improve, it was decided to transfer him to the private hospital in Rundu on 22 November. From there, he was referred to a specialist and a general and vascular surgeon at Lady Pohamba, where his right leg was amputated above the knee.Mulatehi, a foreman at Nored in Katima Mulilo, is claiming N$9.5 million for loss of income, general damages, and future medical expenses, among other things.- henriette@republikein.com.na

Man demands millions after amputation

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Man demands millions after amputation

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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