OFM News has been informed by a nurse, who has asked not to be identified, that following brief strike action by staff, including nurses, cleaners and a few junior doctors, management then met with labour representatives and have promised to brief staff at about 14:00 regarding concerns raised.

On Tuesday night a female doctor at the Free State hospital bit off a man’s tongue as he attempted to rape her while she was sleeping in one of the overnight staff quarters. The Free State Health Department confirms the perpetrator is a former patient at the hospital who is originally from Bronville in Welkom. He is reported to have first come to the hospital’s casualty ward on Saturday and did not show any signs of illness but did display what Mvambi describes as “social issues”.

Mvambi is yet to respond to OFM News’ queries on the meeting and concerns over safety.

In 2010 a 35-year-old doctor, who was specialising in paediatrics, was hit over the head with a brick and raped by three men. She was heading for the neo-natal unit on the ground floor at about 02:00 when the accused overpowered her on a dark staircase and raped her. The matter, which was widely covered in the media at the time, evoked anger in the medical fraternity and raised questions regarding the safety of health professionals at state facilities.

Meanwhile, the unnamed suspect is being kept at an undisclosed location and will be handed over the police following surgery to treat his wound following the incident.

OFM News