By late afternoon, both lifts were working and Mpilo was X-rayed.Īgain he questioned doctors about his supposed transferral. Urgent emails were dispatched to the hospital's chief executive. These were, however, delayed because he was in an upper floor ward and was told the lifts were not working. Mpilo was duly returned to Addington for further X-rays. While doctors were discussing his condition the following day, Mpilo heard one of them say: 'If he does not receive treatment within 72 hours he may never walk again.' He was, however, told he would be sent to see a neurologist at Inkosi Albert Luthuli.Īccording to Mpilo, the neurologist was unable to tell him much only that the problem was 'in his spine' and further X-rays and the MRI scan were needed for diagnosis. The number of confirmed cases had risen to 61.

On 15 March, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Once at Inkosi Albert Luthuli, he could also receive any specialised treatment that might be necessary. Mpilo was, however, assured that as soon as a bed became available he would be transferred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital so that an MRI scan could be done to establish conclusively what was causing his condition.Īddington's own MRI scanner was not working, he was told. We may not know what #TB will mean for #CoronavirusInSA, but we do know what a powerful new drug combo means for TB this #WorldTBDay, via /m1XwwRBZeE- News24 March 24, 2020Ī preliminary diagnosis suggested a rare autoimmune disease that may cause paralysis, but this was abandoned.

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