File
The Eastern Cape Health Department has confirmed yet another armed robbery at a healthcare facility in Gqeberha.
Healthcare workers at the clinic in unit 8 in Motherwell were held at gunpoint and robbed of their personal belongings, including cell phones, on Wednesday.
The Department said it condemned this act of lawlessness with the contempt it deserves.
Spokesperson, Mkhululi Ndamase, said whenever healthcare workers are victims of such crimes, they are always offered counselling to be able to deal with the trauma.
He said the Health Department has security guards at all its facilities across the province.
DA MPL, Jane Cowley, said the attack was part of a disturbing and increasing trend of violence against healthcare workers in the district.
“It is unacceptable that clinics, which are often the only access point to healthcare for our most vulnerable communities, are becoming hotspots for crime.
“These incidents are directly impacting healthcare service delivery, putting both staff and patients at risk, and exacerbating the strain on an already overstretched system.
“The safety of clinic staff and patients was a key topic of discussion at the meeting, and it is now more urgent than ever for the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders to take immediate action,” Cowley said.
She added that the province’s Emergency Medical Services were facing similar challenges, with many teams unable to access certain areas without police escorts.
“I will be writing to the MEC for Health, Ntandokazi Capa, to request an urgent meeting of all stakeholders. This meeting must develop an effective contingency plan to address the rampant crime that is crippling our healthcare facilities,” Cowley said.
