Health ministry probes child’s arm amputation after mother’s negligence allegations
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched an investigation after a mother from Otjiwarongo alleged that her son’s arm had to be amputated following treatment he received at Otjiwarongo State Hospital.
The allegations surfaced after the mother shared a voice note with NBC News, claiming her son developed serious complications after a healthcare practitioner allegedly applied a cast too tightly following an arm injury.
According to the mother, the cast restricted blood circulation, causing nerve damage. She said the family later returned to the hospital after noticing the child’s condition was deteriorating.
The boy was subsequently referred to Windhoek for specialist treatment, where doctors reportedly attempted to save his arm. However, the limb was later amputated.
The family is now demanding answers from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, alleging that negligence may have contributed to the loss of the child’s arm.
Responding to NBC News, ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya confirmed that the ministry had been informed of the incident through the Regional Health Director and that an investigation had been launched.
Kamaya said it has not yet been established whether the amputation was caused by the treatment the child initially received at Otjiwarongo State Hospital.
He said the outcome of the investigation will determine what happened, adding that the ministry will comment further once the process has been concluded.
Source: NBC News Namibia.
