South Africa: Limpopo Department of Health will be in court on Monday, 24 April 2023, when a man who is alleged to have assaulted a nurse at Relela Clinic in Bolobedu outside Tzaneen will be appearing in Kgapane Magistrate court.
The patient, who is now in police custody, is alleged to have stormed the consultation room where the nurse was busy assisting another patient and demanded to be assisted. The nurse requested the patient to queue just like any other person, but the patient insisted, and the altercation ensued, and the patient allegedly assaulted the nurse. The nurse was taken to Van Velden Hospital, and she is in stable condition.
According to the Health Department MEC Ramanathuba, “We understand that the accused will be appearing at Kgapane Magistrate court on the 24 April 2023, and we will be there to support our nurse with the aim of calling for no bail for him and a harsh sentence which will set as an example to many out there.”
The implications of attacking healthcare workers while on duty have dire implications and consequences. During our budget vote on 18 April, I announced that Relela Clinic will start to render 24hr services; unfortunately, this incident will result in regression on this positive move and innocent people being denied access to healthcare, said MEC Ramathuba.
In the end, MEC concluded by saying, “We can not sacrifice the health of the nation because of one individual, hence our call for severe and harsh sentences,” said MEC Ramathuba.
The news got viral after the incident, and people seemed to be aggressive; one of the ladies said, “Nurses are being bullied left, right & centre. Most of the time, being blamed for matters beyond their control. There are good nurses out there, a lot of them. So just because they are known to be harsh, they should be crucified? What about those that go the extra mile? That man must be punished. Why couldn’t he control his emotions?”