A 5-year-old boy was left alone in the casualty area of the Tshilidzini Hospital in Thohoyandou after a security guard kicked the child’s mother and other escorts out of the facility.

The Limpopo Department of Health says an investigation into the matter is receiving the necessary attention.

A photo of the 5-year-old-boy lying on the floor at the hospital has been widely circulated on social media, which the department says they note with serious concern.

Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana says the boy was brought to the hospital by both parents with an injured toe from playing soccer and was seen to by a doctor who ordered a X-ray.

“The child was in the company of his mother during the entire process until they returned from the x-ray and were waiting in casualty for a review,” he says.

The child was separated from his mother after a security guard, who was clearing out the casualty area, asked her and all other escorts to wait outside the facility.

Left alone on a chair, the child fell asleep while the mother waited outside. A security guard noticed and called the mother inside.

“It’s unfortunate that instead of the mother assisting her son, she decided to take a picture and post it on Facebook. The boy was seen by the doctor who reviewed his X-ray and was then discharged because his injuries were minor,” he says.

“Security personnel are not health professionals and they mean well by clearing the area so that the health professionals have conducive space to work in.

“When casualty is busy, nurses and doctors are more focused on dealing with the resuscitation of patients and don’t have the opportunity to advise security guards on cases like this,” he adds.

He says due processes are being followed and that the family has been contacted.

“Further action will be informed by the final report from the investigating team,” he says.