The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has moved to act against a nurse after a video circulating on social media allegedly shows the healthcare worker physically assaulting a patient at King Dinuzulu Hospital.
The department said it was deeply concerned by the footage and had launched an urgent investigation into the incident.
According to the department, the video appears to show the nurse striking the patient in the face while making inappropriate remarks.
The nurse will be placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect, pending a full internal investigation.
“The Department unequivocally condemns this behaviour in the strongest possible terms,” the department said.
It described the conduct depicted in the video as “completely unacceptable”, saying it violates the core values expected within the public healthcare system.
The department stressed that patients have a right to be treated with dignity, respect and care while receiving healthcare services.
“We confirm that we are investigating this specific conduct as a matter of urgency,” it said.
The department also made it clear that physical punishment has no place in its healthcare facilities.
“Corporal punishment has no place in our facilities, and we are committed to ensuring that all patients are treated with the dignity, respect, and care they deserve,” the department said.
It assured the public that the matter would be dealt with through the appropriate disciplinary processes once the investigation has been concluded.
“We assure the public that we are taking this incident seriously and will ensure that appropriate disciplinary action is taken once the investigation is concluded,” the department said.
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