Johannesburg – The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko on Thursday described “as inhumane and vulgar” the assault of healthcare workers at a municipal clinic in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni.
The MEC made the remarks after learning of a video that has been circulating on social media, which shows an unhappy member of the public throwing urine at the staff at Calcot Dlephu Clinic who were on their lunch break.
The incident happened on Friday, 20 January 2023.
“Irrespective of the complaint the member of the public might be having against the health workers, this cannot justify the attack on them,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“It is uncalled for and we condemn this vulgar act in the strongest possible terms.”
The MEC said resorting to violence and hurling insults will never be acceptable as there are recourse mechanisms such as escalating complaints and allegations to quality assurance people or the facility manager at the relevant service point.
Healthcare workers across the province have found themselves under attack from communities in recent times where some have even been robbed of their belongings and in other instances, the attacks end up with patient care being severely hampered resulting in loss of life.
“I appeal to communities to work with us to end the attack on healthcare workers. On our part we have made a commitment to ensure that we improve patient experience of care at healthcare facilities,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
The MEC said she has directed the department to investigate the matter and establish the facts around the incident to determine further course of action.
