A family from Botshabelo in the Free State says they are heartbroken after their 67-year-old diabetic father’s health deteriorated when he was allegedly given anti-retroviral (ARV) medication by mistake at a local clinic.
According to his son, Mokhethi Mokoqo, the mix-up occurred in July this year, when his father was issued ARVs instead of his chronic diabetes medication. Weeks later, his father began showing alarming symptoms.
Mokoqo said his father developed severe cramps, sores, and mobility issues, which led to him being rushed to hospital by ambulance.
“On Monday morning, around 6am, I got a call and rushed home. My father said he had cramps and couldn’t feel his body. That’s when I checked his medication and realised he had been given ARVs — I identified them through the barcodes,” Mokoqo explained.
The elderly man was hospitalised for two weeks and has since developed memory loss, which the family believes is linked to the incorrect medication.
Mokoqo added that health officials later visited their home to acknowledge the mistake and offered compensation to the family.
The Free State Department of Health has not yet issued a public statement on the incident.
