The family of 16-year-old Brendan Mathew is demanding answers from the Ministry of Health and Social Services after their son suffered severe burns from hot water, allegedly while under hospital care.

Mathew was admitted to the Swakopmund State Hospital due to a stroke and was later transferred to Katutura State Hospital for further treatment.

His mother, Jensie Uiras, recalled that her son complained about a severe headache, after which he was allegedly administered an injection.

He, however, later experienced some form of paralysis on his body.

“The student nurse did not inform me about the type of injection my child was given. After receiving the injection, he remained on the bed while the doctor prescribed medication that was not available at the state hospital. We were advised to purchase the prescribed medication from a pharmacy, as indicated on his hospital card. That Sunday, as we were walking home from the hospital, I noticed that he was dragging his leg. I asked him why he was dragging it, and he replied, ‘No, Mom, I think the injection is too strong for me."

She added that upon visiting her son in Katutura State Hospital, she discovered that his hand was burned by hot water.

Uiras questioned the safety of patients in the Intensive Care Unit that has a 24-hour watch.

The ministry's spokesperson, Walters Kamaya, added that an investigation has been launched.

Kamaya confirmed that Mathew is making steady recovery.