Cape Town – North West health MEC Madoda Sambatha has condemned the armed robbery incident that occurred at the Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp on Wednesday morning.
Sambatha called on law enforcement agencies to stamp out gangsterism for the safety of health facilities.
According to the Department of Health spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane, four armed men allegedly entered a boardroom where doctors at the hospital were holding a morning briefing and demanded their phones, money and any other valuables.
Lekgethwane said Sambatha, who was at the hospital for the Smile Week launch, was briefed about the incident on his arrival and questioned the security company, demanding to know how the men passed through the security gates with guns.
The security company indicated that everyone entering the hospital premises was checked but failed to explain how the men entered the facility with guns, said Lekgethwane.
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“One of the men was fortunately apprehended still within the hospital premises. The police were called and he was arrested. The police have taken over the case for investigation. Meanwhile, a debriefing session was held with the affected doctors with a view to provide counselling services.” he said.
The department acknowledged that the area had a high rate of gangsterism, while the MEC called on law enforcement agencies to stamp out gangsterism and ensure the safety of health facilities.
According to TimesLIVE, the South African Medical Association also condemned the incident and raised concerns about the safety of doctors and healthcare professionals in the workplace.
It said due to poor safety and security in hospitals and clinics, the lives of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers were frequently at risk, the report said.
“Assault, attempted rape and rape in health facilities are reported frequently. The association has been actively engaging health authorities and correctional services in each of the provinces on these acts of violence,” said the association.
It said a survey revealed that violence against healthcare workers in the last decade had increased mainly in the public sector.
Many doctors and medical staff were now fearful for their safety and find themselves in a situation of moral distress when it comes to providing care to patients under these adverse conditions, said the association.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
