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The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Zwelini Mkhize, calls on community members to desist from committing violent crimes in health facilities.

On the 11th of January two armed suspects entered Clairwood Hospital in Durban and fatally shot a 47 year old patient. The motive for the killing is unknown and the police are on the hunt for the suspects.

“Hospitals should be regarded as sacred ground, not places to settle scores. We cannot tolerate this level of barbarism. Towards the end of 2019 I called an urgent National Health Council meeting by teleconference to address this issue and instructed the Department of Health to implement security measures for the safety of our staff and patients as a matter of extreme urgency.”

The Safety and Security Forum met on 4 December 2019 where an urgent plan of action was outlined to deal with safety and security in health facilities. Amongst the resolutions was the expansion of the forum to include relevant key stakeholders; a memorandum of understanding to be established between the Department of Health and South African Police Service as a matter of urgency; and the recognition that non-compliance with safety and security requirements has potential litigation. 

The Forum also recognized that there is an urgent need to reinforce security training and procedure in facilities, as well as ensuring that security companies comply with requisite labour laws.

The Minister continues, “there will be more stringent rules in place in our facilities- it will no longer be possible to simply walk in without passing through a security checkpoint. Members of the community should expect that they may be searched. Facility rules regarding visiting times, articles allowed into the premises and numbers of people allowed to visit must be respected. Above all the instruction of staff should be complied with- their task is primarily to safeguard patients and themselves.”

Trauma counseling for patients and staff who witnessed the horrific event is available.

Anyone with information that can assist the police apprehend the suspects is encouraged to come forward. Tip offs can be sent to the police anonymously by calling Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or send an anonymous SMS to Crime Line at 32211.

Issued by The National Department of Health