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SAMA condemns the attack on a Soweto doctor
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) says the most recent attack on a doctor in a clinic in Soweto is yet another example of where the safety of medical professionals is being compromised. According to reports, Dr Mandisa Kubeka was assaulted by a patient at the Lillian Ngoyi Community Clinic in Soweto on Wednesday.
“This assault comes after two female doctors were assaulted, also by a patient, at the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley on Friday night (17 September). We re-iterate that doctors in public health facilities are sitting ducks, and something urgent is needed to ensure their safety,” says Dr Angelique Coetzee, Chairperson of SAMA.
Dr Coetzee says in addition to raising the issues of safety and security with provincial Departments of Health, SAMA will also engage with the national Department of Health around this issue. “We have consulted and raised the issue of the safety of healthcare workers for many years. In some cases the situation has improved but there are still ongoing attacks in many places. The issue of safety and security, specifically in public institutions, requires urgent intervention which is implemented nationwide, and which lasts,” concludes Dr Coetzee.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About SAMA
The South African Medical Association was formally constituted on 21 May 1998 as a unification of a variety of doctors’ groups that had represented a diversity of interests. SAMA is a non-statutory, professional association for public, and private sector medical practitioners. SAMA is a voluntary membership association, existing to serve the best interests and needs of its members in any and all healthcare related matters.
Contact:
Head of PR & Communications
Dr Simonia Magardie
082 905 8505
Email: simoniam@samedical.org
Spokesperson 1
Chairperson: SAMA
Dr A Coetzee
082 379 8118
Email: dr.coetzee@worldonline.co.za
Spokesperson 2
Vice-Chairperson: SAMA
Dr M Mzukwa
076 382 8152
Email: mzukwam@gmail.com
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