UNHEALTHY ALTERCATION: Union demands Kariega hospital security upgrades after violent trauma unit clash
Staff at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital in Kariega say they are routinely exposed to violence while trying to care for patients. Their union wants more security personnel at the trauma unit and tighter controls on who enters the hospital.
Healthcare workers at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital in Kariega are routinely exposed to violence while treating patients, prompting a union to demand stronger security measures. A violent altercation at the trauma unit on Friday night, involving a patient and their relatives, has led the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa) to call for additional security personnel and stricter controls on hospital access.
The incident began when a patient, triaged as yellow, tried to enter the trauma unit with several relatives who were not authorized to accompany them. Security personnel were assaulted during the clash, and hospital property was damaged. The Eastern Cape Department of Health has noted the incident and reported the family members for damages, but no charges have been filed yet.
Union spokesperson Thembisa Witbooi emphasized that staff are living in fear, as they come to work without knowing what to expect each day. Hospersa has previously raised security concerns with the provincial health department, urging the department to adopt a proactive approach to risk assessment and prevention.
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