Teenager Dies After Alleged Negligence by Wesbank Clinic; City Launches Probe

A dark cloud of grief and unanswered questions hovers over the Okkers family following the 'sudden' demise of 16-year-old Kendall Okkers. The bereaved relatives allege negligence on the part of Wesbank Clinic, claiming that the healthcare centre denied essential services to the teenager, potentially contributing to her untimely death.

The City of Cape Town has commenced an inquiry into the events that transpired, as confirmed by spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo. He stated that City Health is currently conducting a thorough examination of the incident and that further responses would issue after its completion.

Kendall, a Rosendaal High pupil, presented flu symptoms, gradually aggravating when her family noticed blood in her sputum. Alarmed, her mother rushed her to the clinic on April 30, hoping for immediate tests and treatment, potentially for tuberculosis (TB). Unfortunately, the staff at the Wesbank Clinic, situated on Silversands Road, reportedly failed to provide adequate care.

Describing the ordeal, Kendall's grandmother, Estelle Hermanus, recounted how they were turned away due to a daily client limit and advised to return the next day. Despite a subsequent call for an ambulance, no emergency services materialized. In desperation, Hermanus transported Kendall to the Eerste River Day Hospital herself. Shortly after, Kendall's condition significantly deteriorated, resulting in her being placed into an induced coma and her eventual death when her heart ceased.

The teen's passing has struck her family and community hard. The pain is sharpened by what they perceive as the clinic's neglect and subsequent inaction, even after acknowledging the oversight. To this end, the City's investigation is not just a formality but a necessity for the family's closure and ensuring no other family suffers a similar fate.

Kendall was remembered by her grandmother as a vibrant girl full of dreams, including aspirations for higher education and a desire to provide for her parents. The case has not only sparked anger but also a resounding call for reform in the healthcare protocols that would prevent such incidents in the future.

As the family awaits justice and the truth behind Kendall's death, the City is pressed to deliver a full and transparent investigation report. The tragic episode raises essential questions about healthcare access and the accountability of medical staff when service failures have fatal consequences.