ELIM – A nurse who is attached to the Elim hospital is accused of ill-treating a child, as revenge to an argument she had with the mother of the child.

Thinavhuyo Munyai (26) of Mpheni Ha-Makhakhi, near Elim said her 19-months-old child Mpho Baloyi, was admitted in the hospital on Wednesday evening, after the Waterval Clinic referred her to the hospital. Munyai said her child was put on intravenous drips until Friday.

On Thursday afternoon, Munyai said she found a nurse, whose name is known to Mirror, arguing with an old lady. "The nurse was harassing this old woman. Then my sin was to try and intervene in an attempt to save the helpless old woman who was receiving harsh words from this nurse. After I told the nurse to talk to the poor grandmother in a proper manner, the fuming nurse then told me, "You should keep your big mouth shut, as I am not talking to you."

According to Munyai, the nurse told her she has twelve years of working experience as a nurse and has four children who are older than myself. "Although I thought it was over, I realised she had a grudge against me when the following afternoon, last week Friday, she went to the ward while I was out to collect my child's lunch and sunk two long injections into my child's hand. I was on my way from collecting food when I heard my child screaming in agony. When I rushed to the ward, I met the same nurse coming out of the ward and said 'sis'.

She added that when she went to her child's bed, she found her bleeding profusely. "While I was just standing next to my child's bed in shock, the other women told me the nurse tried to inject with long injections twice into my child's hand. They said two of them broke off into her hand. I saw only one piece of the second injection lying on the table," said Munyai.

Munyai said she was informed that the same nurse has just come back from suspension after she was charged with misconduct. She did not report the matter to the police, but said that she wants the Department of Health to take serious steps against the said nurse.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Mr Aluwani Netsianda was not aware of the incident and promised Mirror that he will investigate. He, however, confirmed that the boy was treated in the hospital.