Pretoria - Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has directed four provincial MECs to chart a process to review existing security measures at all health facilities.
Mabuza instructed MECs for Health and Social Development Dikeledi Mahlangu, Education Reginah Mhaule, Safety and Security Vusimuzi Shongwe and Public Works Clifford Mkansi to meet urgently and plan a process to review all existing security measures at health facilities following the death of a medical doctor, who was stabbed in the chest by a patient at Middelburg Hospital.
Dr Senzosenkosi Mkhize was stabbed to death on Tuesday by a patient at Middelburg Hospital while on duty attending to a patient. A security guard, who rushed to the doctor's defense, was also stabbed, but he is in a stable condition in hospital.
Mpumalanga Health and Social Development Department MEC, Dikeledi Mahlangu, who visited the hospital on Wednesday, said the provincial government vehemently condemns the killing of the doctor, adding that the MECs will come up with a plan, to further prevent occurrences of this nature.
"The government has identified safety and security as one of the priorities in the Medium Term Strategic Framework. As a result, the safety of our patients and health care officials is paramount in this administration," Mahlangu said.
Mahlangu visited the hospital to establish first hand information about the tragic incident and give moral support to the staff at the hospital and further convey condolences on behalf of the provincial government and people of Mpumalanga to the Mkhize family.
"I am deeply touched by this incident, that a young doctor who had the whole world of opportunities to seek greener pastures anywhere, but chose to come and work with our people in this province, can have his life cut so short.
"The Department of Health will find ways to provide support to the Mkhize family, especially during this difficult time and further continue to provide emotional support to the affected staff at the hospital to enable them to cope with the workload. I was assured that SAPS is working around the clock to arrest the suspect," said Mahlangu.
Meanwhile, the South African Medical Association (SAMA) has expressed its sadness and anger over the senseless killing and called for action in addressing issues of safety and security in hospitals.
"Doctors continue to be soft targets for criminals: robberies at gun point are frequent in doctors' residences. The plethora of these sad stories is countless in our unsafe hospitals. How many more must be robbed and how many more female doctors must be raped before something is done about safety and security in our hospitals?" asked Dr Phophi Ramathuba, chair of the Committee for Public Sector Doctors.
