Health workers under siege

Hospital guard stabbed and staff attacked in latest of violent incidents to hit Gauteng health facilities

Gauteng health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa has raised concerns over violent attacks on staff at facilities across the province following a string of incidents this year. Ramokgopa spoke after the latest attack at the Leratong Hospital at the weekend. “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the attacks on hospital staff. Not so long ago a doctor was allegedly assaulted by a patient’s escort at this hospital.

“And while we understand that emotions sometimes do rise in the course of interactions between hospital staff and the public, we urge members of the public to treat hospital staff with respect and courtesy as the officials try to do their best under very trying challenges.

“We urge anyone with information to come forward in order to assist the police bring the perpetrators to book,” Ramokgopa said.

She said the second incident involved emergency services workers being threatened by escorts of a patient who had died.

Ramokgopa said the escorts blamed emergency workers for the death.

“In a country such as ours, where there is a shortage of medical personnel, attacks of this nature will further deter many from entering medical profession. When members of the public are not satisfied with the quality of service in any of our facilities they should use redress channels available to them,” she said. Sowetan reported two weeks ago that a nurse was assaulted by relatives of a woman who had given birth to a stillborn at Ramokonopi Clinic in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni.

In March, staff at Carletonville Hospital were left traumatised after a gang of about 20 men armed with knives and pangas stormed the hospital in order to finish off a member of a rival gang. – Zoë Mahopo