In the early hours of Sunday morning, three men arrived at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital with their friend who had gunshot wounds and demanded the nurses to go to their car and take the patient.
The nurses explained to these men that they are the only women on duty and asked them to bring the wounded man inside the trauma unit. However, one of the guys refused and started to punch one nurse on the face and kicked her, trauma security guard called backup from other security guards who were stationed at the gate and the nurse manage to escape.
These men were driving a black Ford Fiesta before running away in their car, they threatened trauma staff and told them they will come back and kill everyone should the man they brought in die. Unfortunately the unknown man was declared dead upon arrival.
Department of Health Minister Nomakhosazana Meth, condemns assualt and intimidation against the health care workers. She ugerd community members to treat health care workers with respect and care instead of threatening and assualting them because that may comprise the service delivery as people would fear for their lives.
MEC Meth said, “We are calling on communities to work with Law Enforcement agencies to ensure that those who continue to tagert healthcare workers, which includes EMS Personnel are arrested and prosecuted.”
Counseling will be provided for the traumatized staff and the management of Uitenhage Provincial Hospital made arrangements to cover for staff from both day and night shift as they are still traumatized by the incident that happened at the hospital.
MEC Nomakhosazana Meth called upon police to leave no stone unturned and bring the three male suspects to justice.
