Gates locked by protestors at King Nyabela Hospital in Middelburg
Middelburg residents were left stranded outside – and inside – King Nyabela Hospital this morning, after hospital gates were locked for several hours during a protest.
According to reports received by the Middelburg Observer, no vehicles, patients, or staff members were allowed to enter or leave the hospital until approximately 08:30.
A distressed elderly woman contacted the Observer from inside the hospital, claiming that she and her husband, a cancer patient, were prevented from leaving for a scheduled chemotherapy appointment in eMalahleni.
She said the couple had waited months for the appointment and that missing the session could have serious consequences for her husband’s health, “I am crying because, after months of waiting, we finally had hope, and now we cannot leave,” she said.
When approached for comment earlier this morning, the Department of Health initially indicated that it was unaware of any protest taking place at the hospital.
Christopher Nobela, from the department later confirmed that a protest was, indeed, underway. He stated that following further engagement, the hospital gates were subsequently opened. According to the department, the protest involved community members raising concerns about alleged unfair employment processes at the hospital.
Mediation processes are currently underway in an effort to address and resolve the issues raised by the protesters.
No official confirmation has been provided on how many patients were affected by the temporary closure, or whether any medical appointments were missed as a result.
This is a developing story.
@middelburgobserver WATCH: Gates locked during protest at King Nyabela Hospital in Middelburg Middelburg residents were left stranded outside – and inside – King Nyabela Hospital this morning, after hospital gates were locked for several hours during a protest. Read more: #MiddelburgObserver #Mpumalanga #stevetshwetelocalmunicipality #Middelburg #kingnyabelahospital
