Gauteng health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa on Sunday condemned the attack on a patient at the Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, by an angry community mob.
“We have learnt with a deep sadness and great shock that a patient who was brought to Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital by an ambulance to receive medical treatment following an alleged altercation in Munsieville was dragged outside the casualty area and brutally stoned by an angry mob who came to the facility in three or four minibus combis,” said Ramokgopa.
The patient had reportedly stabbed another man in Munsieville before he was injured and whisked to the hospital by an ambulance. Aggrieved community members organised transport and followed him to the hospital.“I am urging our community members not to take the law into their own hands and to respect and protect health care facilities as they are in existence to provide crucial life-saving services to those who are in need of medical attention.
“While the matter has been reported to the police, this barbaric incident should be condemned in the strongest terms and the perpetrators should face the full might of the law,” said Ramokgopa.“I have just visited the hospital to assess the situation and our prayers and thoughts are with the injured patient who is currently fighting for his life in the hospital. Counselling services will also be offered to our health workers who witnessed this gruesome attack,” she said.