Derick Hougaard
Former Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard is fighting for his life in a Pretoria hospital after reportedly not waking up for seven days. Photo: Backpagepix

Home » Good news! Derick Hougaard ‘opening eyes, responding’ [photo]

Good news! Derick Hougaard ‘opening eyes, responding’ [photo]

Afrikaans singer Nadine has shared a miraculous health update about former Springbok player Derick Hougaard, who has been in a coma for over a week. The retired rugby player – who contracted respiratory pneumonia and a collapsed lung – has opened his eyes during a visit from loved ones. Derick was admitted into the ICU […]

Derick Hougaard
Former Springbok flyhalf Derick Hougaard is fighting for his life in a Pretoria hospital after reportedly not waking up for seven days. Photo: Backpagepix

Afrikaans singer Nadine has shared a miraculous health update about former Springbok player Derick Hougaard, who has been in a coma for over a week.

The retired rugby player – who contracted respiratory pneumonia and a collapsed lung – has opened his eyes during a visit from loved ones.

Derick was admitted into the ICU of Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria after he was found unresponsive.

ALSO READ: Why is Derick Hougaard in a govt hospital? Nadine explains…

DERICK HOUGAARD: MIRACULOUS HEALTH UPDATE

In a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon, Nadine shared: “With incredible gratitude, we can share with you: Derick has opened his eyes!
“His infection count has decreased, and he is currently receiving new antibiotics. The carbon dioxide in his blood has decreased quite a bit, and his oxygen intake is getting better every day!”

ALSO READ: ‘Stay away’: Derick Hougaard’s mom issues warning to ‘friend’

She continued: “He’s responding to questions, and his brain function currently looks good! There are other complications for which he is still receiving treatment, and the sedation has been reduced.

“He can’t talk with the tubes in his throat, he’s in pain, and he’s extremely tired, but we are beyond thankful and excited that he opened his eyes!”

Nadine – who, along with Derick’s sister and mother, are permitted to visit him – thanked her followers for their prayers.

She added: “We continue to pray for his lungs to heal fully!”.

ALSO READ: ‘Small progress’: Glimmer of hope for Derick Hougaard?

Met ongelooflike dankbaarheid kan ons met julle deel : Derick het sy oë oopgemaak! Sy infeksie telling het afgeneem en…

Posted by Nádine on Thursday, 22 June 2023

WHY IS HE IN A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL?

While state hospitals are the norm for many South Africans, many social media users questioned by the prominent public figure did not seek private medical care.

Nadine explained in a previous Facebook post: “For those asking why Derick is at Steve Biko Academic Hospital: It was the (amazing) ambulance staff who suggested it when we urgently needed to decide where to go, and I trust their insight in such a situation more than my own. They said that he had to go directly into the intensive care unit (ICU) and would have to stay indefinitely.

derick hougaard, nadine,hospital
Nadine has defended her decision to admit Derick Hougaard into a government hospital. Images via Facebook: @nadine.net/ sbah.org,za

ALSO READ: Derick Hougaard ‘friend’: Racism, Zuma, Ponzi scandals

She continued: “I am THANKFUL Derick was admitted there because I can attest that the doctors and nurses are fantastic in this department. I believe Derick gets the best treatment and care there!

“In addition, he is too critical to be moved at all, and therefore no scans are currently being done, except for X-rays of his lungs. He is stable, but his lungs are extremely ill, so we are constantly praying for healing, for oxygen and less carbon dioxide in his body.

ALSO READ: ‘Stop!’: Derick Hougaard’s girlfriend claps back at hospital pics