The KZN MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has warned that the department will not tolerate the ill-treatment of health care users (patients).
Those who make themselves guilty of this will bear the consequences.
This warning comes after a Courier reader vented her frustrations over what she called the ‘disgusting attitude of nurses at the Dundee Hospital.’
The reader, who preferred not to be named, accused the nurses of ‘often being apathetic and highly abrupt and have on several occasions refused reasonable requests by patients, such as escorting patients to the restroom, claiming that “we only take them once a day” – the ridiculousness of this statement is self-explanatory.’
Concluded the irate reader: ‘If you do not care about people, do not become a nurse for the sake of it. Do yourself and everyone around you a favour by seeking a job that does not require emotional intelligence.”

Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has said that the department will not tolerate the ill-treatment of health care users. Those who make themselves guilty of this will bear the consequences.
In response, Health Department spokesman, Sam Mkhwanazi, told the Courier: “In a democratic society, government is there to provide services to the public. Government has put in place laws, regulations and policies to ensure that government employees carry the mandate of government to deliver services to communities.
“Such policies include Batho Pele (People First) and, specifically to health workers, Codes Governing Health Care Professionals. The majority of health professionals do respect and adhere to laws and policies which direct them to, among others, respect their noble profession by putting patients above all. The KZN MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has said that the department will not tolerate the ill-treatment of health care users. Those who make themselves guilty of this will bear the consequences.
“In the name of transparency and recognising that there might be those who are not true to the profession, all health care workers are required to display their name badges at all times while on duty.
“The Department appeals to health care users and the public who may be aggrieved, to demand to speak with health facility management or public relations officers to immediately register their grievances and identify the alleged perpetrator(s). This will ensure that consequence management is applied and there is a redress process. Furthermore, this will ensure that the good image of those health care professionals who are true to their profession, is not tarnished because of a few bad apples.”