Patients claim to be starving
When some tried to raise their concerns regarding the food issue they were threatened by nurses.
MBOMBELA – Some patients at Rob Ferreira Hospital have alleged that they are starving because certain staff members steal food from the kitchen.
One of the patients, who didn’t want his name to be revealed, said, “We are not getting enough food, not because the government or the service providers are failing, it’s because of the corruption within the hospital. Some of the nurses, laundry and kitchen staff, steal the food for their families when they knock off. In the end some patients end up starving.
“When you ask for some more, they just tell you that the food is finished. They also say patients must learn to appreciate what they are getting because they get it for free. The question is: how do they manage to go through security clearance at the entrance?” he asked.
He added that when some tried to raise their concerns regarding the food issue they were threatened by nurses.
“When they find out that you were complaining about food, it’s woe unto you. Some of the nurses tend to be rude towards such outspoken patients. Siphuma kumindeni lehlukene. Labanye abavakashelwa tihlobo, baphoceleka kutsi badle kona loko lokuncane labakuthola esibhedlela. This is totally unacceptable. How can you take medication when you are starving? They must bear in mind that some of us can’t afford to go to private hospitals,” he said.
The provincial spokesman for the Department of Health, Mr Ronnie Masilela said, “These allegations are unfounded. The CEO of the hospital and other staff are not aware of the matter and we have security guards at the gates. So, if people have proof, they should produce it as we can’t rely on hearsay.”
