Department disturbed by allegations of unsafe environment at Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital
The North West Department of Health is disturbed by allegations of unsafe environment at Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital (JSTH). The department has picked up that a certain gentleman who called himself "John" called into Radio 702 Radio and alleges that:
- Doctors at JSTH are accommodated in unsafe environment
- When they raise this concern, they are threatened and forced to go to work
- That they are threatened from speaking to media
The department would like to put the following into perspective:
- It is true that there has been security breaches in the accommodation provided for health professionals
- Those affected have been offered support and counselling
- The counselling continues one-on-one for those needing it
- Hospital has met all the health professionals affected, and continues to engage with them daily
- Hospital management has, together with the management of the outsourced accommodation derived plans to improve on security
- These have been communicated to all those affected and were accepted by them
- For those who it has been agreed to with the health professionals alternative accommodation has been sourced whilst security improvements are underway
- The hospital has invited JUDASA and SAMA to assist the health professionals who were intending to embark on work stoppage (to avert a work stoppage that may compromise service delivery)
The Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has also been informed and asked to visit the hospital to assess and ascertain that the hospital meet the regulations for accommodation for health professionals. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been requested to increase patrols around the hospital and the accommodation where few incidents of robbery have been reported.
It is not true that the hospital has been threatening employees and we have nothing to hide. The Department and the Hospital acknowledge few incidents of robbery that have been reported but rather would appreciate all support to solve it.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Department Spokesperson
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
