Health Department gives clarity on bloody hospital photos

LIMPOPO – The Department of Health has labeled the spreading of bloody photos taken with the Zebediela Hospital, regrettable and malicious. This after the said photos, which depicts blood covered floors inside a bathroom and blood spots down a hospital corridor, were shared on social media platforms on Monday, 19 October.

The photos were shared with the following caption ‘Imagine going into a place where your health is supposed to be the first priority only to find it looking like this.. Please intervene and help us fight the injustices…‘

In a statement issued by the department, Thilivhali Muavha, Spokesperson for the MEC, said that the department investigated and found that the blood was from a male patient, who had sustained stab wounds. “He was brought to the hospital late hours of Sunday by a private vehicle and instead of going to casualty, the patient landed up in a bathroom and had a blackout. The patient was bleeding profusely. Staff in casualty were notified and immediately intervened and took the patient to the casualty ward, where he was resuscitated and stabilised. Thereafter, the patient was admitted to a male surgical ward where he is still recovering, but in high spirits.”

Muavha added that the bathroom was cleaned immediately after the accident, as per normal procedure.

He continued to say that it is however, unfortunate and regrettable that a few ‘malicious individuals’ decided to take these pictures to name and shame the employees who saved someones life.

“It is important to remember the psychological damage this type of ‘grandstanding’ does to those healthcare workers who took care of this patient and those who clean the hospital.”

In conclusion he reminded the public that the country is still in Level 1 Lockdown, therefore there is still a curfew and one is not allowed to be out in the middle of the night, especially drinking. “Let’s observe the Covid-19 regulations.”