A Zimbabwean national, Makwambeni Sheu, who was employed as a doctor at Mafeteng District Hospital, has reportedly disappeared after learning that he was under investigation by the Lesotho Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Council (LMDPC) over allegations linked to the death of a patient.
Sources close to the council allege that Sheu was hired irregularly, without proper procedures being followed, and was deployed to Mafeteng District Hospital, where he worked in the gynaecology department.
He is said to have fled the country before appearing for a scheduled hearing by the council.
According to the sources, Sheu performed a surgical procedure on a 26-year-old woman under non-emergency circumstances. Following the operation, the patient reportedly experienced continuous bleeding.
It is further alleged that the woman returned to the hospital, where Sheu operated on her a second time and removed her uterus in an attempt to stop the bleeding. However, the procedure allegedly failed to control the haemorrhage.
Junior doctors at the hospital later transferred the patient to Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH), where she subsequently died due to excessive blood loss. She is reported to have left behind a newborn baby.
Sources claim that Sheu had been summoned by the LMDPC for questioning, but left the country before the process could be concluded.
They further allege that he was recruited by the ministry of health without all regulatory requirements being fully met, including verification of his credentials by the council.
Mafeteng District Medical Officer, Dr Thapelo Ramatseka, neither confirmed nor denied the allegations. Ramatseka said he was not authorised to comment on matters concerning the ministry of health but acknowledged that he knows Sheu.
When contacted for comment, the Director of Clinical Services in the ministry of health, Dr Lucy Mapota, confirmed that Sheu had been hired following interviews conducted by the ministry and the public service.
Mapota stated that the ministry had verified that he obtained his medical qualification from a recognised university, but his registration process with the LMDPC had not been completed.
“And what was left was for the medical council to finalise its processes. We work together with the council to ensure doctors are registered before practising in the country. In this particular case, the outstanding issue was a letter of good standing. When it took longer than expected, we had to release him because he could not continue working without registration,” she said.
On the alleged patient death, Mapota declined to comment, citing the absence of a formal complaint or incident report.
“In cases where there are concerns relating to patient care, there should be an incident report or a formal complaint lodged,” she said.
Meanwhile, LMDPC President Dr Makamole Lelimo said he could not immediately recall the case, noting that the council is handling multiple matters.
“I am unable to confirm or deny the allegations at this stage,” Lelimo said.
He, however, emphasised that all foreign doctors intending to practise in Lesotho are required to register with the council and undergo verification of their credentials before commencing work.
Summary
- A Zimbabwean national, Makwambeni Sheu, who was employed as a doctor at Mafeteng District Hospital, has reportedly disappeared after learning that he was under investigation by the Lesotho Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Council (LMDPC) over allegations linked to the death of a patient.
- Sources close to the council allege that Sheu was hired irregularly, without proper procedures being followed, and was deployed to Mafeteng District Hospital, where he worked in the gynaecology department.
- It is further alleged that the woman returned to the hospital, where Sheu operated on her a second time and removed her uterus in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
