A group of five individuals, suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol, reportedly caused disruptions at the Healthcare facility on Sunday (30/3) morning.

According to Tebogo Lekgethwane, spokesperson for the North West Health Department, the group arrived at the healthcare facility with an injured individual. However, the group were reportedly unruly and refused to comply with security protocols.

North West Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane. Photo: LinkedIn

Lekgethwane said the group also refused to queue and wanted to be attended to immediately before all other queuing patients, who had been patiently waiting for their turn to be attended to by our nurses. It’s understood that the confrontation turned violent when the group assaulted a security guard who attempted to intervene and maintain order at the facility.

Lekgethwane clarified that no healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, were assaulted during the incident.

Meanwhile, MEC for Health in North West Sello Lehari confirmed that a criminal case had been opened against the perpetrators.

‘We will follow it through’

“I want to say to these individuals that we have opened a criminal case against them and will follow it through until they are arrested. We call on the community to work with us and identify these individuals who are disregarding the laws of our country,” Lehari remarked.

He said a meeting was convened the same day with key stakeholders, including senior officials from the department, local councillors, the MMC for Health at the Madibeng Local Municipality, union representatives, healthcare professionals, and security personnel.

Several resolutions were made during the meeting, all of which are being immediately put into effect. These include:

• A criminal case has been officially opened, and a case number has been issued.
• Psycho-social support will be provided to all healthcare professionals and security personnel on duty during the incident.
• Additional security measures will be implemented at the facility, including the deployment of more armed guards.
• Security personnel will be equipped with essential tools, such as metal detectors.
• A renewed focus will be placed on community-centered campaigns to promote the proper delivery of healthcare services.

Lehari also issued a stern warning to individuals who engage in disruptive behaviour at healthcare facilities. He expressed particular concern about individuals arriving at healthcare centres during the early hours, often under the influence of alcohol, and causing chaos.

“Our healthcare professionals are doing so much to save lives, the last thing we need is individuals who have consumed alcohol coming and causing chaos in our facilities, demanding to skip the queue. They will face the full might of the law and we will set a good example with those who assume that they are more important than other patients,” Lehari emphasised.

He also assured residents of Bapong village and the surrounding areas that the facility remains safe and operational.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg