Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s remarks about a Zimbabwean hospital patient sparked disapproval from trade unions. Image: @Ori_RSA / Twitter
‘Shameful and cringe’: EFF on Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s viral video
The EFF has slammed Dr Phophi Ramathuba for her viral video where she was scolding nursing staff at a clinic in Limpopo over long queues.
Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s remarks about a Zimbabwean hospital patient sparked disapproval from trade unions. Image: @Ori_RSA / Twitter
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has slammed Limpopo Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, for “humiliating” nursing staff in one of the provinces’ clinics.
In a video widely circulated on social media platforms, Ramathuba can be seen “scolding” the nurse managers at Rethabile Community Health Centre for long queues at the facility.
EFF SLAMS DR PHOPHI RAMATHUBA
In a statement, the Red Berets said the video is shameful and cringe and that Ramathuba ought to have resolved the shortage of nurses in the province to avert long queues.
“The utterances by the MEC are not only distasteful, but they are dehumanising and abusive in nature,” the party said.
Furthermore, the party said the continuous bullying tactics and scathing attacks against health personnel must not be taken lightly because they perpetuate intimidation and demoralise them in executing their duties.
“The MEC is covering up her shortcomings in running the department decisively and providing essential healthcare services to the people of Limpopo, thus resorting to blame games.
“It has become a common trend that year in and year out, Ramathuba launches rants against workers or patients from neighbouring African countries for cheap political point scoring. The MEC must first and foremost address the backlog of staff shortages in our public health facilities and provide medication to avoid blaming staff over her failures.”
EFF
ALSO READ: Dr Ramathuba: Department of Health responds to viral video
In August 2022, Ramathuba also made headlines when she told off a patient from Zimbabwe.
In the video which was taken at Bela Bela Hospital in Limpopo, the MEC could be heard telling the patient from Zimbabwe that they should be with Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zim’s President).
Ramathuba further said that Mnangagwa doesn’t pay her to operate them and that illegal immigrant’s presence in Bela Bela Hospital ‘puts a huge strain’ on the Limpopo Health Department’s limited budget.
ALSO READ: Limpopo Department of Health faces R14 billion negligence claims
