Mobile clinic services in Umlazi suspended due to crime – SABC News

Crime is affecting healthcare in Umlazi, the largest town in the eThekwini Metro. Most recently, Prince Mshiyeni Hospital’s mobile clinic services were suspended about two weeks ago.

This happened after a healthcare worker was kidnapped from a mobile clinic at a local mall and then forced to withdraw money from his bank account.

Crime statistics in Umlazi are among the highest in the province.

The regional manager of the Public Servants’ Association in KwaZulu-Natal, Mlungisi Ndlovu, has called on the provincial health department, police and community leaders to work together to find urgent solutions.

“You mentioned the situation where the personnel who serve the communities are being kidnapped. Most of them are afraid. Who will suffer? It will be the citizens. So we say that the situation is serious, whether it is ambulances or social workers. We have this crisis in the province and we appeal to the provincial commissioner to say: let’s work together. We appeal to the communities to close ranks. Because some of our members want to leave these hospitals because we are facing these challenges.”

According to department spokesperson Ntokozo Maphisa, police have begun escorting ambulances and no concerns have been raised about the safety of the mobile clinics in Umlazi.

HEALTH | Umlazi mobile clinic suspended: