Wentworth Hospital, in Durban, has been under the scrutiny of KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Health since the spread of a viral video showing the utterly shocking mistreatment of patients.
Watch: Inside the overcrowded Wentworth Hospital
The viral footage was filmed by an unknown individual, who sat there unbothered as an elderly patient screamed out for help, complaining that she was going to die if she was left unattended.
After seeing the video, which you can watch below, one could empathise with the patient’s fear. For about 90 seconds, not a single nurse or medical employee appeared in the room.
The body of an unidentified person was seen strewn on the floor, covered in a sheet. The individual who posted the video claimed that this was “a dead body just being dumped on the floor.”
However, this claim could not be verified.
NOTE: The video below contains graphic imagery that may be harmful and/or triggering. Viewers’ discretion is strongly advised.
Pure evil from Wentworth Hospital in Durban with a dead body just being dumped on the floor. What the hell is going on? pic.twitter.com/DMOXIz0uAV
— I’m not your friend (@AnonymousSA__) January 11, 2021
KZN Health vows to make drastic changes at Wentworth
As reported by IOL News, the viral video made its way to the provincial health department offices and MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu sent a team of investigators to probe the ongoings of the public hospital.
Following the probe, it was found that on the particular day in question, there was a high number of patients and not enough staff members to cater to everyone.
The MEC added that a majority of Wentworth Hospital’s staff was in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) and only six nurses were left to look after the hospital’s emergency unit.
Much of this blunder, she said, was due to the increasing demand for beds at hospital. Changes will be made, however. To create more space, recovering patients will be sent to Clairwood Hospital to make room for patients in need of oxygen.
Simelane-Zulu applauded the strained medical staff for their tireless efforts in doing everything they can to save as many lives as possible.
“We sincerely appreciate the profoundly good work that is being done by our tireless front-line workers, and staff across the board, to help the province square up to this pandemic,” she said.
The person who filmed and distributed the viral footage has been condemned for their actions. The MEC warned that unauthorised filming of patients is a violation of their privacy and rights to dignity.
“This is indecent, and tantamount to the violation of patients’ inalienable right to privacy and dignity,” she warned.