Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
09 September 2024 | 19:15 CAT

Desperate patient’s viral videos prompt probe in Helen Joseph Hospital conditions

The Gauteng Health Department is investigating allegations about the conditions at the Helen Joseph Hospital.

Former talk show host and content producer Tom London spent two weeks in the hospital, revealing poor communication between doctors and patients, non-functioning medical equipment, and inadequate infrastructure.

On Saturday morning, London posted videos detailing his experience and labelling the “Helen Joseph Circus Hospital”.

London’s videos garnered widespread attention and showed footage of his hospital ward, where he pointed out broken taps, peeling ceilings, and rusted electrical plugs. The former broadcaster also recounted an incident where his phone was stolen while asleep in the ward.

London says that, at times, patients are left unattended for hours on end.

“No doctor here calls you by name. Every doctor here assumes you [are] a hobo (homeless person) that comes off the street. The doctors here are behaving like the patients are their little experiments. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life,” London said.

He said that a few days ago, a team of doctors came to check up on a patient in the same ward as him, but they showed no urgency, claiming the doctors “were discussing their bonuses” instead of making sure the patients were okay.

“They were discussing their cars, the restaurants nearby that had really great food to eat. They were laughing and joking while the guy diagonally opposite me was screaming his lungs out,” he added.

He further alleged there was a dead patient in ward eight of the hospital who had not been attended to for 20 minutes.

The dead patient was located opposite London’s bed.

Meanwhile, London told Radio Islam International that the video’s purpose was to say, “I know I’m not the only one who had poor treatment from doctors and nurses.”

He pointed out, “in the interim I have been called a whistleblower and there has been massive push back against me. I believe today there are representatives saying that I am a spy working with a political party trying to destroy the NHI which is the furthest from the truth.”

London added, “I was just a South African who felt the same as 10s of thousands of other South Africans about the treatment they’re getting from doctors throughout the country.”

The release of London’s videos sparked a public outcry, with many individuals taking to social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their own experiences of mistreatment at Helen Joseph Hospital. Several social media users recounted similar encounters, with some pointing out the long-standing issues of overcrowding and inadequate resources at the hospital.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Muallimah Annisa Essack and Tom London here.