Child rape victims not examined after 10pm
HILLBROW - DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom has expressed concern after reports indicated that a trauma centre counsellor took a child abuse case to Hillbrow Clinic in December last year and was presented with a letter stating that child rape victims who come to the clinic after 10pm will only be examined the next morning.
Reports indicate that the letter was stamped on 26 March 2013 by the Department of Health, the Office of the Clinical Manager, Johannesburg Health District.
According to the letter, “It was noted that the time we examine children especially query rape, the child is tired and it is long past their bedtime, the chances of finding anything is nil due to the child’s irritability… when children come after 10pm, it is better to let them sleep in the clinic and to examine them in the morning. Please let them sleep in the clinic and examine them in the morning. Do not turn them away but explain to the parent or policeman that they will be examined, but later.”
Bloom said, “I am disturbed at this directive as there should ideally be as little delay as possible in dealing with such tragic cases. It looks to me like an excuse not to have a qualified professional on duty in the evening.”
Bloom stated that he will take this up with the Department of Health.
This is a developing story.
