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COPE Caucus Leader in Gauteng, Ndzipho Kalipa together with Dr. Avis Naidoo and other members of senior management at OR Tambo Memorial Hospital in Ekurhuleni met today to discuss allegations of gross mistreatment of patients by nurses the hospital.

Kalipa’s statement follows a visit to the hospital on Wednesday, 25 July 2012, where he met with patients and observed conditions in which the patients were being treated, as part of his constituency work. One of the key concerns was the alleged mistreatment of Mr. Alpheus Shabangu, 88, who was admitted to the hospital after his diabetic condition became severe.

Mr. Shabangu alleged that shortly after being admitting into a ward, he fell from his bed late that evening and struggled to get assistance from nurses on duty.

According to Mr. Shabangu, fellow patients tried to aid the elderly man but to no avail. Shabangu added that he was forced to remain on the floor until the nurses made their routine checks at 5:00am the next morning. The situation only worsened when Mr. Shabangu claimed that the nurse on duty hurled insults and humiliated him for no apparent reason, in front of other patients.

MPL Kalipa together with the senior management at OR Tambo Memorial Hospital wishes to jointly state categorically that following a meeting between the two parties earlier today, all allegations that were raised have since been resolved.

According to the hospital’s senior management, the nursing staff on duty at the time Mr. Shabangu needed assistance, have since been reprimanded and the hospital’s management have taken corrective measures to discipline the nurses responsible.

“We regret the incident taking place and want to make sure that patients are cared for at our hospital,” said Dr Avis Naidoo.

MPL Kalipa would like applaud the intervention of the hospital under the stewardship of the Health Portfolio Committee and the MEC of Health in Gauteng, Hope Papo.