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SowetanLive reports that health workers in Limpopo are afraid to work night shift due to violent attacks experienced by staff at the province’s clinics and hospitals.
According to the provincial health department, at least 45 incidents of violence, including armed robberies and assaults, were reported at health facilities in Limpopo between 2018 and 2022. Robberies have been reported at facilities like the Gezimani, Phadzima and Mphambo clinics in Vhembe Districts, while a male nurse was assaulted at Sambandou Clinic in June. Mulatedzi Ramaano of the Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union said nurses feared working at night due to rampant crime and poor security. “We are being painted badly as nurses but how do we serve the community when we do not feel safe,” he asked. Nehawu’s Moses Maubane said the department must beef up security to avoid depriving communities of crucial health services while ensuring the safety of workers. He said crime was a reality everywhere, but that was not an excuse to close down 24 hour services. “That cannot be an excuse to deprive communities. The department must provide additional security measures,” he said. Limpopo health department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said even the most dedicated health workers were growing more afraid of working at night. “They fear for their safety; they fear for their lives. Once these criminals overpower the security personnel, they can then do as they please like we have seen in many instances where they rob, kidnap, assault and even rape,” Shikwambana lamented.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zoe Mahopo at SowetanLive
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