The Inkatha Freedom Party demands that the KZN MEC of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo must urgently investigate and take necessary action against a nurse allegedly ill-treats a bed-ridden patient at St. Mary’s Hospital in Mariannhill, outside Pinetown.
“We cannot tolerate such behaviour in our hospitals. We demand that the MEC must make sure that this case is investigated thoroughly and anyone found to be guilty must be prosecuted and fired. A slew of double standards protects nurses’ jobs but makes patients vulnerable. It is important for nurses to have positive attitudes towards patient care if good quality care is to be provided.
Poor attitudes of some nurses, can severely undermine the ability of the healthcare system to provide quality care and improve outcomes for patients.
The IFP further demands that all hospitals must assess nurses’ attitudes regularly to ensure that patient care is not compromised,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL.
“The general public think of nurses as caring, helpful and healing. Certainly not as serial killers or as individuals who are out to harm loved ones.
As healthcare professionals they need to be vigilant and if they see abuse of patients or witness something, which doesn’t seem quite right with one of their co-workers, they must not just ignore the signs, they are accountable and they must hold others accountable for their actions.
They mustn’t become a passive bystander they have to look after the patients and keep them safe from harm. It is difficult to speak up sometimes especially when it is something as serious as patient abuse, or a suspicious patient death but it is their duty to protect patients and they have to stand up and be counted,” continued Mrs Nkwanyana.
“Nurses have taken an oath and if they do not live by that code then they must be exposed and stern action must be taken against them. We are praying that the attitude of the country’s nurses will change for the better. We encourage nurses to embrace their work with pride and professional excellence. Nurses should have an attitude that displays compassion and commitment,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
Issued by:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health
078 302 3991