TSHIPISE - A 43-year-old woman, Mrs Takalani Netshipale of Tshipise Sagole Village, whose right hand was allegedly paralysed about two years ago after being injected at the local clinic of Tshipise, is seeking compensation from the Limpopo Department of Health and Welfare.

Mrs Takalani Netshipale, mother of five, said that she consulted the nurse at the Tshipise local clinic when she was suffering from swollen glands under her lower jaw. She said she was attended by a male nurse, who told her she had to receive an injection as part of her medication.

"He called a female nurse to inject me in the buttocks, but things changed when the female nurse injected me in the right hand. My hand became very painful and I have been suffering since then," she said. Her right hand is now paralysed and she is unable to do with her job as a labourer in the mealie fields at Tshipise.

"I was earning R250 per month and I have five children, three of whom are still at school," Netshipale said.

She further said that she consulted a doctor at Tshilamba, who told her that the needle had damaged the veins during the injection process. "The doctor told me that I have to be operated on, and nobody cares for me."

She was transferred to the Vhufuli Hospital for treatment, but nothing changed. She said she doesn't need a disability grant and that the Department of Health and Welfare should compensate her.

The spokesperson of the Department of Health and Welfare, Mr Phuti Seloba, said he was not aware of the issue and is still waiting for the formal complaint in order for him to start with an investigation.

He said that Mrs Tshipale should have contacted the Department of Health before going to the media.