FOREST COMPANY DISPUTES MBABANE CLINIC MEDICAL REPORT

PIGG’S PEAK – Swaziland Plantations conveyed its injured worker to Mbabane Clinic for treatment.

After the clinic had examined the extent of the injury, it fixed a percentage loss of earning capacity arising from the disablement of Bhekithemba Masuku at 40 per cent. However, the 40 per cent award as recommended by the clinic did not sit well with the company. It began to make startling allegations against the doctor who attended to the patient. Other allegations contained in letters written by the company to the injured patient cannot be repeated for ethical and legal reasons. Mbabane Clinic is considered to be one of the leading private health institutions in the country. 

At the peak of disgruntlement, it must be said that the forestry and saw mill company situated at Mhlatane in Pigg’s Peak lodged an appeal with the commissioner of labour over the medical report. It now wants the matter to be heard by a Medical Board. Makhosi Vilakati, the Minister of Labour and Social Security is empowered by law to appoint the Board. Besides its appeal, Swaziland Plantation also wrote a letter to the patient alleging that the clinic’s doctor ran short of ideas; hence he (doctor) recommended that he (patient) be referred to South Africa for advanced check-ups.

Patient transferred

Contrary to the medical opinion by the certified doctor, Goodman Dlamini, the Human Resources Manager (HR) suggested that the patient, instead, be transferred to Mbabane Government Hospital. “The Mbabane Government Hospital is a referral hospital in Eswatini, hence, the referral to the Mbabane Government Hospital is not outside the norm,” according to the letter signed by Dlamini, the HR. The letter was addressed to Masuku, the patient. Before he was received by the Mbabane Clinic for treatment, Masuku was first admitted at Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital. He was later conveyed to the private Clinic. He was injured after he was trapped between a forklift and a load of wood at Swaziland Plantation.
The doctor who treated him stated in his letter that the patient was trapped with the left hand raised and the right had adducted.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: