Health Dept bemoans violent incident that led to closure of Mpumalanga hospital
Themba Hospital in Mpumalanga resumed operations this past week after members of its staff downed tools due to on ongoing violence in the community.
FILE: The Themba regional hospital in Mpumalanga closed its doors temporarily after clashes between staff and angry residents. Picture: © Antonio Diaz/ 123rf.com
JOHANNESBURG - The national Department of Health has condemned acts of violence in Mpumalanga that recently led to the temporary closure of the Themba Hospital.
The health facility resumed operations this past week after members of its staff downed tools due to ongoing violence in the community.
Earlier this month, community members started protesting, demanding a meeting with the hospital's management.
The department says the disruption of service at hospitals is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
The closure of the hospital happened after a violent incident between staff and community members.
It is alleged that the service delivery protest turned violent, with staff members and patients assaulted by community members.
The department says it's working with police in the province to ensure that operations continue undisrupted, and to prevent such incidents in the future.