WHAT was meant to be a clean admission turned into a nightmare.
This comes after a patient was brutally beaten at South Rand Hospital on June 30.
The 30-year-old patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, told COURIER he was attacked because he greeted a girl.
“I was standing next to a local tavern waiting for my friend. Two girls came into the tavern and I greeted them in a polite manner, not knowing they were with their boyfriends.
“One of the boyfriends said to me I’m disrespecting them, why? I’m greeting their girls in front of them. An altercation ensued. I tried walking away from them but they chased me,” he explained.
He claims as he was fleeing away he accidentally shot himself. His friend picked him up and rushed him to South Rand.
“As I was sitting on the bench I heard people screaming where’s security? I was about to look up when I was attacked.
“They kept on beating me and no one tried to help me but people just stared and took videos. I thought something of this nature won’t happen to me I’m disappointed to watch myself getting a beating at a place where I thought I’d get help,” he said.
While speaking with the COURIER he said opening a case isn’t something he wants because he might be in endangering his life.
“What concerns me is the safety of South Rand Hospital. Where was security? To be honest I would’ve lost my life there. I’m even scared to leave my house at the moment because I don’t know what may happen to me,” he concluded.
South Rand Hospital spokesperson Phafudi Molapo said they are deeply concerned about the patient that was assaulted in the Accident and Emergency Department.
“The hospital management would continuously strive in ensuring that a safe environment is provided to the patient and staff and also like to appeal to the community to work with relevant government departments such as police and the hospital to curb such incidents,” said Molapo.
The hospital told the COURIER additional security guards were placed in the ward and the patient was under police guard for 24 hours.
President of Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union (YNITU), Lerato Madumo-Gova said hospitals and clinics are guarded by unarmed and ill-equipped security personnel who themselves fear for their lives when such jobs attack staff and patients.
“Hospitals and clinics are expected by politicians to be operational 24/7, were most staff are female without any panic buttons like banks for urgent armed response. We have mastered safeguarding money and properties more than safeguarding lives of patients and staff.
“We are not expecting the hospital management of South Rand to do anything as we are aware just how disempowered our hospital management is when it comes to getting approval from their head offices to improve infrastructure and security,” she said.
WATCH:
https://www.facebook.com/youngnursesindaba/videos/899830317034681/UzpfSTEwMDAwMTc5MzA2MDQyMToyMjcxMTUyNzU5NjIxMTM3/
ALSO READ:
South Hills woman relates awful experience at South Rand Hospital
Woman burns with boiling hot water at South Rand Hospital
Alleged negligence of hospital staff claims baby’s life
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Get regular news updates sent directly to your inbox: Newsletter-Signup
