Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane wants harsh action taken against staff members at a Motherwell clinic in Gqeberha who allegedly turned away a 15-year-old girl who had allegedly been gang-raped.
The teenage girl has since passed away and Mabuyane wants Health Minister Joe Phaahla to assign a team from the office of the health ombudsman to probe the conduct of the staff at the clinic.
The girl is said to have gone to the clinic at NU 11 for treatment after she had allegedly been gang-raped in the township last week. It is alleged that instead of treating the victim, the healthcare workers referred her to the police station to report the case, where she died later that day.
However, the provincial department of health said the teen was attended to at the clinic and was found to be “clinically stable”.
The response from the department has failed to sway Mabuyane, who is still calling for a thorough investigation to be conducted, with more emphasis on the conduct of the clinic’s healthcare workers.
“It is very sad that a family had to lose a teenage girl under such strange circumstances,” said Mabuyane. “Access to quality healthcare services is a right enshrined in the constitution, this right must always be promoted and protected.
“It is on this basis that I am calling for the health ombudsman to investigate this matter and make recommendations for any corrective action that may be necessary going forward.”
He further sent his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased girl.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said no arrest has been made but assured that an investigation is under way.
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