A few weeks after four infants died at George Masebe Hospital in Bakenburg, Mokopane, the hospital is in the news again after six doctors quit the facility for unexplained reasons.

The hospital gained notoriety when the four babies died on January 4 while six doctors had gone on Christmas leave.

It is not clear whether their departure last week were linked to the deaths of the babies but sources at the hospital said two were unhappy with their accommodation.

“The doctors complained about the poor state of residences for doctors at the hospital. Sometimes they were forced to drive at night to their own houses far away from the village.

“Their departure has nothing to do with the deaths of the babies,” said a source in the administration unit of the hospital.

The two doctors, who could not be reached for comment, had not left the province but joined other hospitals. Provincial health department spokesperson Sinenhlanhla Gumede said yesterday: “I am not prepared to answer to rumours about the departure and accommodation of doctors.

“We have nine doctors at the George Masebe and they are working.”

On the other hand, doctors belonging to the Cosatu-affiliated South African Medical Association, who had been volunteering their services at the hospital after the deaths of the babies, have left.

Dr Phophi Ramathuba, association chairperson for public sector doctors, told The New Age the association withdrew its members because the six doctors who had been on leave from the hospital had returned.

For more details go to wwww.thenewage.co.za