Attacks on healthcare workers: Minister breaks down
MBABANE – The recent attacks on healthcare workers in their different workstations took a strain on the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi.
Yesterday, the minister got emotional when sharing the ordeal of the healthcare workers who have been attacked in the different hospitals over the past few days. This happened after the minister finished delivering her remarks during the handover of equipment and supplies to wellness nurses yesterday at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The minister literally broke down in tears when talking about the incidents which left healthcare workers frightened. Nkosi lamented on the latest incident which took place last week at the Zombodze Clinic, where two men raped a healthcare worker at the nurses home. The incident took place on Wednesday night.
This publication reported about the gruesome incident, which resulted in the health centre being closed until further notice. The minister said healthcare workers were often in very dangerous places.
“It is unacceptable, it is criminal and we should not be sitting here talking about such,” said Nkosi.
In a statement released by the minister yesterday, she further condemned the recent act of violence, stating that it was criminal, unexpected and cruel.
“Our hearts go out to the attacked healthcare worker and her family. As a ministry, we will do everything within our power to give her support throughout her journey to recovery,” said the minister.
Safety
She added that as a ministry, they always strived to ensure the safety of healthcare workers within available resources.
“However, we are also aware that our efforts are not sufficient. Health facilities, by their nature, are scattered all over the country, and it is impossible to provide security in all of them,” added Nkosi. She said as a ministry, they also relied on community members to look after all service providers who lived within their communities. In this particular case, she urged the community to help the ministry identify the perpetrators so that the law could take its course.
Valued
She added that her ministry assured all healthcare workers that the ministry valued their service and commitment. She said while the ministry continued to work around the clock to enhance security in healthcare facilities, they requested all healthcare workers to come together, hold hands and look after one another.
Nkosi’s message to the nation was that there was no health service without people, as the buildings, commodities and equipment would not provide health services without the people using them.
“We therefore request the nation to value and protect our healthcare workers, as that is what is protecting our health as a nation,” said Nkosi.
During the event yesterday, Nkosi remembered the unfortunate accident that took place at the Mbabane Government Hospital, where a gang came armed to the hospital held healthcare workers hostage and forced them to revive one of their own, who had died after being stabbed.
Nkosi also lamented on the recent incident of gang members who invaded the Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital.
“We have a duty of care as government and as a ministry,” said the minister.
She added that communities had a responsibility to take care of healthcare workers deployed in their different communities. She said the healthcare workers had a responsibility to keep themselves safe, but there were times when they could not do anything to keep themselves safe.