A memorial service will be held on Tuesday for Dr Alulutho Mazwi, a medical intern doctor who collapsed and died while on duty at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in uMlazi.
The service will be held at the hospital’s Nurses Hall on Tuesday, May 20, at 12 noon.
At the same time, members of the EFF Youth Command (EFFYC) will stage a picket outside the hospital, demanding accountability from hospital management.
This follows allegations that Dr Mazwi had requested sick leave, but it was denied despite him reporting that he was unwell.
“Actually, what made us take a decision to protest is to demand accountability. Someone must be accountable for the death of a doctor,” said EFFYC’s Bantu Faku.
“It cannot be true that you can deny someone sick leave. And then that person collapsed and died on duty while he reported that he was not feeling well.”
Faku added that the issue is not an isolated incident. He said other hospital staff, including nurses, are also raising concerns of mistreatment and bullying.
“It is a part and parcel of the mistreatment of interns. Not only interns, actually, but also of the staff in Prince Mshiyeni hospital. Because even nurses are complaining about being bullied,” he said.
“We want justice. Everyone that is accountable or is responsible must account,” Faku said.
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane expressed her condolences to Dr Mazwi’s family and confirmed that the department has launched an investigation into the incident.
“We understand that there are allegations that Dr Mazwi was denied leave after he reported that he was sick. We wish to say that we have not taken these allegations lightly,” the MEC said. “The supervisor has been placed on precautionary suspension as the investigation continues.”
Simelane encouraged intern doctors and other staff not to remain silent when facing mistreatment. “The office of the HOD and mine are always open to hear any complaints. We even allow anonymous letters and then investigate complaints.”
It was also reported that the Health Ombudsman, Professor Taole Mokoena, has launched an investigation into the circumstances of his death.
In a statement, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said he was deeply concerned by the media reports of Dr Mazwi’s death.
“At this juncture, the Minister has not received any official report from the province about the matter,” the statement read.
He confirmed he had spoken to MEC Simelane before departing for the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
THE MERCURY
