By Naadiya Adams

Rowena Hawkey’s cries for help fell on deaf ears in a video that surfaced online two weeks ago. She is seen screaming on a bed, while other patients around her lay on the floor and hunched over chairs with not a single medical staff member in sight.

She tragically passed on after the horrifying video was taken by her family member, but what shocked the family even more was when they discovered the swift manner in which the hospital had ordered her cremation – before an autopsy could be done.

Paving a way for suspicion of a cover up. Human rights advocate representing the organisation Back on Your Feet, Tess Riekert says Hawkey’s daughter, Teresa was only informed no autopsy was done when she arrived to collect her mother’s ashes at the funeral home.

“They were shocked when informed by the person who was present when the autopsy was requested, that this, unfortunately, was not done. Our legal team then contacted Mr Madlala (from the funeral service) and what followed made it clear that Wentworth Hospital management is covering up, as the hospital gave instruction for the body to be collected and cremated on Wednesday morning,” said Rickert.

“We fail to understand the rush for the late Rowena Hawkey to be cremated while there are so many Covid-19 death-related bodies awaiting cremation. We are of the opinion that the cremation was rushed, as hospital management wanted the body to be collected and cremated, as it is obvious that an autopsy would have proven neglect and that Hawkey did not pass of natural causes as carelessly written on the death certificate,” she added.

Teresa, Hawkey’s daughter and the rest of the family want answers. They don’t understand how Hawkey’s death occurred. And why she was cremated before an autopsy could be done.

In the viral video, Hawkey is seen crying for help as she pleads not be left for dead. She was allegedly admitted to hospital with asthma complications and was laying on a narrow stretcher unable to breathe properly and unable to reach her asthma pump with no medical staff in sight. She was awaiting her Cvid-19 test results before a doctor would even look at her.

Medical personnel at Wentworth hospital say they were inundated with patients and under staffed as the pandemic is taking its toll on health workers and the fraternity at large.

Provincial health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, said matters need to be reported immediately so they can be dealt with urgently.

“At the time, we actually thought that the video was something happening on the spot. That is why we then dispatched management immediately.”

“However, we then subsequently discovered that it was a video that was recorded on 22 December. In future, where patients have challenges, we’re making a call that they complain to us immediately, so that we’re able to address matters that are there on the spot,” she said.

The MEC added that 11 doctors were away in isolation on the day, after testing positive and that a further 17 nursing staff were off also due to Covid-19.

Six nurses oversaw the Accidents and Emergency Unit, as well as a 28-bedded short stay ward with very sick patients.