By: Andrew Kathindi
The family of the man who died in May shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine says they have not consulted with the ministry over the investigations of what led to his death.
Usiel Uapiona Kajovi (63) died on 17 May, some hours after getting the AstraZeneca jab in Windhoek.
Th family was responding to health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula, who on Friday during the 35th COVID-19 brief, said the ministry had been in consistent contact with the family.
Shangula also said both parties had agreed on the findings of an autopsy report which stated the cause of death had nothing to do with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Shangula stated that the incident where it was alleged that a particular individual died following vaccination was investigated, a post-mortem was done, and the cause of death was established and found to be unrelated to vaccination.
Kajovi’s case is the only public case thus far that was investigated where an individual was reported to have died the same day that they received the COVID-19 jab.
“Further toxicological examinations were conducted, and results are still outstanding. But there has been thorough consultation with the family. And an understanding was reached with the family regarding that incident.
Following Kajovi’s passing, health executive director Ben Nangombe had stated that he was screened for eligibility before the administration of the vaccination.
After administering the dose, he was observed for the required period before he was released to go home.
But Kajovi’s stepson Uendjii Tjituka denied that the minister had consulted the family.
“We were not contacted. We are still waiting for the results,” Tjituka told The Villager.
Quizzed on the health minister’s statements, he stated, “It’s not true what they’re saying.”
According to Tjituka, the last time the family heard anything from the ministry was after Kajovi’s funeral at Epukiro on 25 May.
On the social worker support from the ministry, Tjituka said, “It was just that [first] week, and then we heard nothing from them.”
Tjituka had previously said that the family was contemplating filing a lawsuit after they had suspected that negligence led to his father’s death.
On this, he said, “As you know, the things of [us] Hereros take a bit long. After the passing of the leader and patron of the family, who was also the big brother, it takes a minute. Things are only starting to settle now, so we are planning the way forward.”
According to Tjituka, however, the deceased had a history of high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which he kept under control with tablets.
He says that he suspects this was not picked up during screening, as the ministry claims.
Kajovi was a farmer and father to 21 children.
