Health minister to pay mother N$500 000 for daughter’s death

The Minister of Health and Social Services has agreed to pay a grieving mother N$500 000 in damages, following the death of her daughter in 2020.

Renate Ndjahera, through her lawyers Henry Shimutwikeni & Co, sued the ministry for N$1,9 million over the “irregular, wrongful and negligent conduct of medical personnel” which led to the death of her daughter.

The minister has agreed to pay N$500 000 to Ndjahera.

According to documents filed at the Windhoek High Court, Ndjahera’s daughter, Vazembouwa Kavetutjo, was taken to a clinic in Windhoek in June 2019 after bleeding heavily and complaining of abdominal pain.

She was referred to Katutura Intermediate Hospital, were she was examined and told she was four to five months pregnant.

On the same day, Kavetutjo was transferred to Windhoek Central Hospital, where she was admitted.

“On 21 June 2019, a diagnosis of septic abortion was made, whereafter [Kavetutjo] underwent an emergency procedure to remove pregnancy tissue from her uterus,” it is stated in Ndjahera’s claim against the minister.

Four days later, Kavetutjo was discharged from the hospital, even though her condition had not improved.

She was verbally informed to return to the hospital after two weeks for a birth control implant to be placed in her arm.

According to claim filed at the court, the implant was placed in Kavetutjo’s arm in July 2019, and she was told her pregnancy had been terminated.

However, despite several follow-ups, Kavetutjo continued to bleed three to four times a month for two months.

Ndjahera claimed that the medical personnel at Windhoek Central Hospital were negligent in the management of her daughter’s condition.

“They failed to properly examine the patient in order to come to an accurate diagnosis that the deceased had septic abortion and needed urgent medical attention,” lawyer Wana Chinsembu said in the claim on behalf of Ndjahera.

Other alleged faults were that medical personnel at the hospital failed to treat Kavetutjo correctly, prescribed an implant that caused continuous vaginal bleeding, and left her condition to deteriorate.

In November 2019, Kavetutjo went to Omaruru State Hospital, where she complained of backaches, vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain.

Following numerous follow-ups, she was again referred to Katutura Intermediate Hospital, where she had a procedure to remove her appendix.

Kavetutjo was discharged on 5 December 2019, but was readmitted the following day until 23 December 2019.

Laboratory results showed tumors had started to develop in her uterus lining, the court said.

Kavetutjo was referred to the hospital’s oncology centre, but chemotherapy treatment could not commence and she was referred to Katutura Intermediate Hospital for further tests.

She died on 11 January 2020 as a result of cancer-related kidney failure.

“[Kavetutjo’s] cause of death is directly linked to the unlawful, wrongful and negligent conduct on the part of the medical personnel of the Windhoek Central Hospital who initially wrongly diagnosed and treated her,” Chinsembu said in the claim.

As a result of the death, Ndjavera claimed N$1 million for emotional shock and trauma, N$400 000 for inconvenience and discomfort, and N$500 000 for future medical expenses in relation to counselling.

The parties agreed in May this year to settle the matter. The
signing of a settlement agreement was completed on 16 August, and the agreement was then filed at the court.

The parties agreed that each would cover its own legal expenses, with the ministry agreeing to pay Ndjahera N$500 000.

If the ministry fails to pay the sum stipulated in the settlement, it will be responsible for paying interest on the sum at a rate of 20% annually until the balance is paid in full.

In June, The Namibian reported that the health ministry paid N$3,2 million in 12 medical lawsuits during the 2021/22 fiscal year.

This was revealed in an audit report on the health ministry by auditor general Junias Kandjeke that was tabled in the National Assembly.