Samatu calls for investigation following death of KZN medical intern at hospital
An intern doctor, who had been ill, died while on duty at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in uMlazi this week.
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The South African Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) has called for an investigation into the death of a medical intern doctor at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in uMlazi.
Dr Alulutho Mazwi, who died on Monday reportedly while on duty at the hospita,l had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. It is alleged that he had been ill, but had been instructed to work.
The KZN Department of Health conveyed its condolences regarding Dr Mazwi's passing but has not yet addressed the allegations.
Samatu condemned the intern’s death, describing it as a result of “inhumane treatment.”
“Samatu in KwaZulu-Natal is saddened by the passing of a medical intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital who was forced to report for duty by his superiors despite his ill-health,” the union said in a statement.
“This devastating incident highlights the urgent need to address the unacceptable working conditions and treatment that most junior doctors, especially interns, are subjected to by their supervisors.”
The union noted that junior doctors often face threats of not being signed off for completing their rotations if they raise concerns. “We as doctors still ill-treat each other instead of standing in solidarity against all these challenges,” it said.
It has called for the hospital’s management to conduct a full investigation and said it remains committed to fighting for the welfare of all doctors.
The Democratic Alliance's KZN spokesperson on health, Dr Imraan Keeka, has reiterated calls for a thorough investigation. “We extend our most profound condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of a young intern doctor who passed away at Durban's Prince Mshiyeni Hospital on Tuesday,” he said.
“It is alleged that the young man was overworked by one of his senior doctors despite the knowledge that he was very ill at the time. We have also noted the call by Samatu for a full investigation into Dr Mazwi's untimely death and we strongly reiterate this call,” Keeka said.
He confirmed that a senior official from the provincial Department of Health had already visited the hospital to establish what had happened but stressed that this alone was not enough.
“There must be consequences for the senior doctor’s actions. This could range from criminal charges and then charges of professional misconduct with the HPCSA (Health Processions Council of South Africa), and eventually possibly even a loss of job.”
Dr Keeka added: “The ill-treatment, bullying, overworking and inhumane treatment of some junior doctors by senior doctors is not unusual and not unknown, yet far too many remain suffering in silence for fear of reprisal. And now one such doctor has lost his life.”
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health in Parliament, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has also expressed his condolences and called for urgent introspection within the health system.
“We recognise the immense loss felt by the hospital staff, who witnessed the intern’s struggle and the impact of systemic failures in our healthcare system,” he said.
Dr Dhlomo said the death of a promising young doctor who had only recently been diagnosed with diabetes and was still working despite serious health challenges “should have been managed with the utmost urgency and care.”
“As we mourn this loss, we must also reflect on the urgent need for reform within our healthcare system. We cannot afford to lose more young lives to preventable incidents. It is crucial that we work together to ensure that our medical interns and professionals are provided with the necessary support, resources and environment to thrive,” he added.
Dr Dhlomo extended his condolences to Dr Mazwi’s family and noted that Ms Penny Msimango, the Acting Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, had committed to investigating the matter.