The South African Medical Association has voiced its concern following a recent incident at Dora Nginza hospital in Gqeberha where an intern doctor was allegedly held at gun point in the maternity parking lot.
To make matters worse, SAMA said her hijacked car – which has since been recovered – initially drove past security unchecked.
“The hospital’s security team was unprepared, and [some of the] stolen items remain missing despite the hospital’s CEO involvement,” SAMA chairperson Mvuyisi Mzukwa said in a statement.
Mzukwa said while they will be monitoring the progress in the matter, the security issue at Dora Nginza highlighted the critical and operational issues that he said require immediate attention.
Eastern Cape health spokesperson, Mkhululi Ndamase, said they were aware of the problems.
“We can confirm that one of the [intern] doctors at Dora Nginza hospital was recently robbed at gun point,” he said.
“The department is providing support to her so that she can recover and deal with this ordeal.
“We can also confirm that the police have since recovered the hijacked vehicle.”
Ndamase said the department “condemns this act of thuggery and lawlessness with the contempt it deserves”.
Meanwhile Mzukwa said at Livingstone hospital, also in Gqeberha, SAMA members are said to have reported severe shortages of basic consumables and equipment, “hampering necessary procedures and life-saving surgeries, negatively impacting doctors and nurses alike”.
Ndamase said: “We can also confirm that the MEC for health, Ntandokazi Capa, and top management of the department met the leadership of the South African Medical Association to discuss this [Dora] issue and other issues were discussed.
“The MEC said she is committed to working with SAMA and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions to all the issues affecting healthcare workers in the province.”
