Faizel Patel – Cii News & Agencies (05-07-12)

Jan Faber (66) lay dying at the back of an ambulance while six private hospitals had the non-chalance and audacity to turn him away. However it was too little too late for Jan after a seventh hospital finally admitted him and administered treatment. He unfortunately died, the Beeld reported.

It all began on Tuesday evening when Faber’s wife San, 62, had called Netcare 911 when she realised her husband was having a heart attack. An ambulance was at their Pretoria home within eight minutes.

The paramedic on duty transporting Faber called four hospitals, but they could not admit him because their ICUs were full. Montana hospital was none the better, they had no cardiologist!

To add insult to injury, Wilgers hospital was willing to admit Faber but when the ambulance was a block away, it was again turned away while his life hung by a thread.

Faber was eventfully admitted to Unitas Hospital, but died a short while later. According to Faber’s wife, the time spent looking for a hospital could’ve made the difference between life and death. “We could just have well have gone to Steve Biko (a state hospital). I hear there are good cardiologists,” said Faber’s wife

Netcare said it was investigating the incident.

Faizel143@vodamail.co.za