Violent protest action: WF Knobel Hospital to reopen for admissions
The WF Knobel Hospital was closed on Monday after protesters marched into the facility and assaulted staff and vandalised government property.
LIMPOPO – The WF Knobel Hospital will reopen for admissions on Friday, 12 March. The facility was temporarily closed on Monday after community members marched into the hospital, vandalised property and assaulted staff members.
The incident was part of ongoing service delivery protests in the area. The residents blockaded the roads to the hospital and denied healthcare workers and emergency vehicles to enter or exit the premises. At the time, the department was forced to evacuate patients and hospital staff to nearby healthcare facilities, to ensure their safety.
Read more: Protesters assault WF Knobel Hospital staff and vandalise property
In a visit to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon, Ramathuba assessed the damage caused and checked the readiness of the facility and staff to readmit patients. A statement issued by the department after her visit indicated that the hospital will reopen this Friday.
“MEC Ramathuba is satisfied that the hospital can reopen for admissions on Friday. She has instructed for all staff members to report for duty on Thursday (11 March) for a debriefing and to cleanup the hospital.”
A meeting with the MEC, local traditional council and the community leaders, will be conducted on Friday to discuss the safety of patients and employees once the hospital is reopened.
For more breaking news follow us on Facebook Twitter Instagram or join our WhatsApp group or Telegram channel.
