DENOSA concerned about attacks on health workers

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) has expressed concern over attacks on healthcare workers by family members of patients.

According to DENOSA, some family members who seek immediate medical attention end up assaulting healthcare workers.

This concern was prompted by an assault on hospital staff by relatives of a man with a gunshot wound at the Kwamhlanga hospital in Mpumalanga over the weekend.

The incident follows a similar attack at the Themba Hospital in the North of Pretoria earlier this month.

DENOSA Provincial Secretary, Cyril Mdhluli says, “These attacks in the provinces have become a pandemic and workers are fearing for their lives, which will result in workers not being able to render services towards the communities. The worrying factor is that these acts are only happening in public health institutions, which clearly indicates that the problem is within our community members and further with the security system that is currently used. The Department of Health is reminded that the workers have a right to work in a safe environment as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.”

@DENOSAORG has expressed concern over attacks on healthcare workers by family members of patients. According to DENOSA some family members who seek immediate medical attention end up assaulting healthcare workers.#MorningLive #SABCNews

— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) August 20, 2024

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