The Inkatha Freedom Party says perverts masquerading as medical professionals must be fired after a lay counsellor responsible for patient education aimed at helping facilitate and promote basic knowledge about HIV as well as adherence to treatment has been suspended after allegations of sexual assault of five pregnant women at Cato Manor Community Clinic.
“Women have reported that the 45-year-old man; touched their private parts individually during their consultations with him. Others were allegedly told to take off their underwears and then he touched their genitals with a glove. This is disgusting and this man must undergo psychological evaluations. He became a man ruled by selfish and perverted desires, a man defined by his daily choices over and over again to feed that selfishness and perversion. He chose to pursue his wickedness no matter what it cost others,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL.
“There are very few times when a woman will take her clothes off a man. One is a consensual sexual encounter. And the other is for a medical examination. But here it is not the case. We ask the KZN MEC of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo to ensure that the perpetrator gets the strongest possible sentence which his actions deserve, for by doing so, he will send a message to him and other abusers that they cannot get away with their horrible crimes. He is a danger. Anywhere he walks destruction will occur to those most vulnerable,” continued Mrs Nkwanyana.
“Sexual abuse is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for those affected. It has taken these women a lot of courage to come forward and seek help. Sexual abuse must be addressed in the wider community in order to prevent further abuse and to help those who have been abused. The Department of Health should also be in a position to provide a proper guideline on medical staff-patient relationship which outlines the parameters of a medical staff-patient relationship,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
The IFP further calls on all patients irrespective of their gender to report their abuse in healthcare facilities to the relevant authorities because if the abuse is covered up, it serves to further silence the victims and allow for further abuse to occur.
Issued by:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health
078 302 3991