The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal has condemned the alleged assault of a patient by a nurse at King Dinizulu Hospital, following the circulation of a video of the incident on social media.
DA KZN spokesperson on Health, Dr Imran Keeka, said the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health must follow due process and conduct its internal disciplinary proceedings, but added that the matter should not end there.
“If the facts as reported are confirmed, the nurse must also face criminal charges,” said Keeka.
He said the DA would refer the matter to the South African Nursing Council (SANC) once the nurse’s identity becomes available.
“This is gross professional misconduct, and the DA will report the matter to the South African Nursing Council, the custodian of professional conduct and ethics within the nursing profession,” he said.
Keeka said the conduct depicted in the video, if confirmed, would constitute a serious violation of the professional standards expected of healthcare workers.
“Patients come to our healthcare facilities to be treated, cared for and healed, with dignity, compassion and respect. They do not come to be assaulted, humiliated or abused, whether verbally or, even more seriously, physically,” he said.
He said both the law and professional disciplinary processes must be applied if the allegations are proven.
“There must be consequences, and those consequences must send an unequivocal warning to every other healthcare professional: abuse of patients will not be tolerated,” said Keeka.
He added that healthcare is a profession built on trust and that those who betray that trust must be held accountable.
“The DA remains a committed partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity and will continue to advocate for a working healthcare system that is ethical, capable and caring, for all,” he said.
