Two Doctors at Netcare Alberton Neglected and Disrespected My Mother

On 8 November 2025, my 59-year-old mother went to Netcare Alberton Hospital Casualty for chest pain and shortness of breath. While the nurses were excellent, both the young initial doctor who first attended to her and Dr Hafsa R. treated her with neglect and dismissiveness. The first doctor promised to call the physician but never did. After waiting more than five hours, my mother was told she would be discharged without any treatment apart from a drip. When she said she was still unwell and needed further investigations, Dr R. rep**** that they “only admit ICU-level cases” and that, in her “scientific assessment,” my mom didn’t qualify.

When my mother asked for her blood and X-ray results, Dr R. said she would bring them but never returned. The night nurse later gave her the results, which showed several abnormal readings. When she asked about them, she was told they were “age appropriate” and that she should contact the pathologist and take the results to her GP. My mother was also told to “go to a public hospital if she has a problem with money,” even though she is on medical aid.

This experience was humiliating, dismissive, and completely unprofessional. We will file a formal complaint with Netcare and we will await feedback. Elderly women deserve respect, care, and transparency — not ************** or neglect.