WATCH: Empangeni Clinic staff down tools after assault

Healthcare services ground to a halt at Empangeni Clinic today (Friday) following the assault of nursing staff by a patient yesterday.

Staff members downed tools amid claims of management not prioritising their safety at work, leaving several patients in limbo and not seen to.

NEHAWU (National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union) regional secretary Siyabonga Ndlela said the attitude of management was the reason their members went on a go slow, as they did not intervene in the matter.

“We have decided to take it upon ourselves to come to this facility to see the situation. We have contacted management that is not willing to resolve this issue as they walked out of the meeting today,” said Ndlela.

One patient, Nomcebo Dube (30) travelled from Dlangezwa for a monthly vaccination for her two-month-old daughter only to find the clinic was not operational.

“We have been told to wait for the nurses from Ngwelezana Hospital, who have been called to come and assist us,” said Dube.

This is a developing story and we will keep you updated as information unfolds.

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