Spinal cord stimulator victims left in the lurch as Gov’t ignores pleas for removal

Dozens of patients left permanently injured after spinal cord stimulators were implanted to treat chronic back pain say government continues to ignore their pleas to have the devices removed, leaving them trapped in pain, disability and prolonged legal limbo. The affected patients are victims of neurosurgeon Dr.

Thabo Rowland, who inserted the spinal cord stimulators during procedures carried out after referrals from the public health system. Rowland has since been cited in multiple lawsuits alongside the government and health authorities, with patients accusing him of negligence and of implanting devices that were allegedly not properly authorized for use in Botswana.