13 January 2006
I strongly condemn the disgusting incident where five student nurses are
said to have had group sex in a children�s ward at Charles Johnson Memorial
Hospital in Nquthu, in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The incident was reported in the Sowetan today. It is alleged that two
female and three male nursing students from Sakhisizwe Private Nursing School
who were doing practical training at the hospital engaged in group sex while on
night duty at the hospital. The incident was reported to the hospital
management by a mother who was caring for an inpatient child in the ward.
Under no circumstances can we allow such horrible incidents to occur in our
facilities. There should be severe consequences for anyone who brings the name
of our facilities into disrepute and undermine the dignity of our patients
especially children.
I would like to thank the mother who reported the incident and commend the
management of the hospital and the nursing school for expelling these nursing
students. Our communities need to assist us in unveiling any form of misconduct
in our facilities and hospital managers are empowered to act swiftly to uphold
the dignity of our health facilities.
I have also reported this matter to the South African Nursing Council to
take appropriate action.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
13 January 2006
