We are taking back the security of the staff and ensuring a safe environment for health workers at Pelonomi Hospital.” Said Dr Sipho Kabane, Head of the Department of Health.This comes after a series of consultative meetings held under the leadership of Ms Sisi Mabe, MEC for Health all categories of staff to ascertain the impact of the sexual assault on their colleague recently at Pelonomi Hospital.
It is clear that the incident has had a major impact on the morale and performance of the healthcare workers at the hospital. We recognised the concerns expressed by all groups we’ve met with and has taken a number of corrective measures to guarantee the safety of our staff first and the general community. Access control to the hospital will be intensified with immediate effect and we appeal to the visitors of patients at the hospital, service providers and staff in general to be supportive of these measures, Dr Kabane said.
Amongst others, the following additional measures have been taken:
- Deployment of 37 trained police reservists per shift to assist with implementing general security;
- Access to the hospital will be strictly controlled and the following entrances will be available (Gate 1 – entrance via Dr Belcher Road, Trauma Unit; Gate 2 – Dr Belcher Road, Casualty Department side and Gate 3 – Western side (Bochabela entrance).
- Visiting hours to the hospital will be strictly adhered to. Hours are 10:00-11:00, 15:00-16:00 and 19:00-20:00. Visits outside these hours will be managed by security. Visitors will be requested to provide details of the ward where the patient was admitted and the patient details.
- Improvement of the management of the patient list and escorting of visitors to the wards.
- Replacing locks and general security maintenance.
- Improving assistance to deliver specimens to the laboratory.
- On-site contractors will also be engaged to discuss safety and security risks pertaining to their areas of responsibility.
- By Friday, the installation of the CCTV system will have commenced.
- Poorly light areas on the site of the hospital have been identified and visibility has been improved.
In addition, expert security assessors have been requested to do a comprehensive, independent, objective, comprehensive security analysis. The on-site ATM will also be removed due to the security risk associated with this.
“We recognise the fact that these measures are universal and will in the near future also roll out the Departmental Safety and Security Plan for Public Hospitals. After our discussions with the concerned medical staff today and putting in place the security measures mentioned, we are please that services at Pelonomi Hospital will continue as usual.” Dr Kabane said.
Enquiries:
Jabu Mbalula
Cell: 082 461 3112
Prof Gert van Zyl
Cell: 083 7090 830
