A Ha Ramokhele man, Teboho Rammusi, has filed a lawsuit against Mafeteng Hospital, alleging that a botched stomach operation in December 2024 left him with faecal matter leaking from his intestines into his body. Mr Rammusi claims that he went seven consecutive days without medical attention following the surgery, before being transferred to Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH), now known as Tšepong Hospital, and later hospitalised in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
According to court papers filed in the High Court, Mr Rammusi accuses Mafeteng Hospital of failing to provide adequate medical care and ensure that suitably qualified medical practitioners were available to attend to him. He has cited the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Matšoanelo Monyobi; the Minister of Health, Mamokete Ntšekhe; the Medical Superintendent of Mafeteng Hospital; and the Attorney General, Advocate Rapelang Motsieloa KC, as respondents.
Mr Rammusi alleges that he was admitted to Mafeteng Hospital on 27 December 2024 after sustaining a stab wound to his stomach. He claims that the hospital’s medical superintendent undertook to perform surgery with the professional skill and care reasonably expected of a medical practitioner, but failed to meet the required standard of care.
The court papers state that Mr Rammusi had tubes on his body which showed faeces were coming out from the tubes, prompting his transfer to Tšepong Hospital on 2 January 2025. Doctors reportedly discovered that faecal matter had spilled into his abdominal cavity through his punctured intestines, leading to his subsequent transfer to Bloemfontein, South Africa, for further medical attention.
Mr Rammusi claims that the alleged failure to provide appropriate medical care resulted in additional medical expenses, a severe lung infection, pain and suffering. He argues that the government, through the respondents, is liable for the alleged negligence because Mafeteng Hospital is owned and operated by the state and its officers were acting in the course and scope of their employment.
Mr Rammusi also alleges that a letter of demand was served on the respondents in accordance with the law, but that they had not responded by the time the court application was filed. He is seeking M2 million in damages, together with interest at 12.5 percent per annum, legal costs and any further relief the court may deem appropriate.
The lawsuit against Mafeteng Hospital highlights concerns over the quality of medical care provided in Lesotho’s public healthcare system. If the court rules in favour of Mr Rammusi, it could have significant implications for the hospital and the Ministry of Health, potentially leading to changes in the way medical care is delivered and supervised.
Key points
- Mafeteng Hospital is facing a M2 million lawsuit over alleged medical negligence.
- The patient, Teboho Rammusi, claims that a botched operation left him with severe complications, including faecal matter leaking from his intestines into his body.
- The lawsuit highlights concerns over the quality of medical care provided in Lesotho’s public healthcare system.
