The Economic Freedom Fighters yesterday asked parliament to debate the attitude of health workers towards their patients following the death of an East London mother of two on a pavement outside a clinic.
The request by the party follows an order from health MEC Pumza Dyantyi that the circumstances surrounding the death of Tandazwa Mbalo, 31, on Monday afternoon outside Ndende Clinic in Duncan Village be thoroughly investigated.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said: “The investigation is focusing both on the clinical condition of the patient and the conduct of those who directly dealt with the condition.
“The MEC is taking the allegations seriously.”
Mbalo died after receiving treatment at the clinic.
She was discharged although her condition had worsened.
Her mother Ntombizabantu Bantu, 56, had tried to carry her ailing daughter on her back from the clinic after nurses would not let her use a wheelchair and hurried her out because they allegedly wanted to lock up and leave.
Weak and barely able to move, Tandaza drew her last breaths while lying on the pavement outside the clinic.
“Last year the department identified that staff attitudes in health facilities is one of the challenges that needs serious attention,” said Kupelo.
“We appeal to health workers to practice medicine and health care with passion and put our people first. We must always ensure that the constitutional rights of our people are not violated.”
On Tuesday a group of 200 residents stormed the clinic and demanded that the nurses responsible be fired for allowing the woman to die on their watch.
The Daily Dispatch visited the clinic yesterday and found patients – mostly women and children – being treated by the same nursing staffq. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Call for parly debate on EL clinic death
The request by the party follows an order from health MEC Pumza Dyantyi that the circumstances surrounding the death of Tandazwa Mbalo, 31, on Monday afternoon outside Ndende Clinic in Duncan Village be thoroughly investigated.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said: “The investigation is focusing both on the clinical condition of the patient and the conduct of those who directly dealt with the condition.
“The MEC is taking the allegations seriously.”
Mbalo died after receiving treatment at the clinic.
She was discharged although her condition had worsened.
Her mother Ntombizabantu Bantu, 56, had tried to carry her ailing daughter on her back from the clinic after nurses would not let her use a wheelchair and hurried her out because they allegedly wanted to lock up and leave.
Weak and barely able to move, Tandaza drew her last breaths while lying on the pavement outside the clinic.
“Last year the department identified that staff attitudes in health facilities is one of the challenges that needs serious attention,” said Kupelo.
“We appeal to health workers to practice medicine and health care with passion and put our people first. We must always ensure that the constitutional rights of our people are not violated.”
On Tuesday a group of 200 residents stormed the clinic and demanded that the nurses responsible be fired for allowing the woman to die on their watch.
The Daily Dispatch visited the clinic yesterday and found patients – mostly women and children – being treated by the same nursing staffq. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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