By OBAKENG MAJE

Patients were allegedly left vulnerable and unattended at Bophelong/Mahikeng Provincial Hospital after nurses and doctors embarked on a two-day strike. This comes after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the hospital, Nonzaliseko Mendela, suspended two employees (Deputy Director: Nursing Services and her Assistant Director) for misconduct.

It is alleged that Mendela charged the duo with misconduct and insubordination after they allegedly close the vaccination site without obtaining authorisation from her.     

One patient from Tshidilamolomo village, outside Mahikeng, Mosimanegape Kubu said, he was left helpless with no one to assist him. Kubu further said the department was supposed to make sure that there is adequate assistance available for patients, who need medical attention during protests.  

“Yesterday, I was here at the hospital and I received no assistance. Just imagine, I arrived here at 7am and left at 11:30pm because there were no nurses available.

“Today again, I arrived at 7am and I have not received any assistance yet. They say nurses and doctors are on strike, so the smooth running of the hospital will be affected. What will happen to admitted patients, who need extra care from the nurses and doctors? He asked.   

Another patient, Mosadiotsile Letebele from Lomanyane village said, she was referred to the hospital by the local clinic for a medical check-up, but she was surprised to see nurses and doctors on strike when she arrived.  

The North West Department of Health acting spokesperson, Keletso Ratlhagane said: “The department has placed the CEO on special leave pending investigations on allegations by staff. The investigations will test the validity of the suspension she matted out against two nursing managers at the hospital. 

“The staff and labour unions representing them (suspended nurses) are questioning the suspensions citing they were procedurally unfair, hence the department took a decision to appoint an investigator to look into these claims together with other allegations which, will be presented by employees to the investigator in writing.”

She said the investigations will serve as a tool to point out any irregularities or wrongdoings and the decision regarding a disciplinary hearing will only commence after the investigation processes are concluded.

Ratlhagane said the health services were restored after the provincial management acted swiftly into the matter and convened a meeting with the aggrieved parties.

Meanwhile, NEHAWU regional chairperson in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Zanele Leeuw said, even though they welcomed the department’s decision to suspend Mendela, they want thorough investigations against her.

“The CEO continues to take decisions that are not in favour of the institution on an ongoing basis. In this instance, she took a decision to suspend two employees alleging misconduct.  

“The two employees allegedly closed down the vaccination site because there were no individuals or patients coming to the site. The nurses decided to re-organise staff and ensure that they are deployed to other units that need extra care,” Leeuw said.  

taungdailynews@gmail.com