MAKHADO – A Chief Professional nurse is suffering from depression, after an ambulance driver slapped her in the face in front of her colleagues and patients at Louis Trichardt Hospital.

Ms Joyce Mathivha, who is attached to the Madombidzha Clinic, was clearly sad when she explained to Mirror how the ambulance driver in the hospital wards, where she was accompanying a 14- year-old girl, who was suffering from premature-labor pains last Friday, humiliated her.

Mathivha said she first called the ambulance driver at about 13:00 so that he can come and transport a boy who had a bone fracture. She again called the ambulance driver at about 15:10 to transport a girl who had premature labor pains.

"When the ambulance driver came to our clinic at Madombidzha, he demanded to know who phoned him. After he was told it was me, he went to the place where we wrote his contact numbers and those of other people we work with. He then cancelled his numbers. He said he should not be phoned anymore," said Mathivha.

Mathivha said they only got into the ambulance with the patient, after her supervisor, Mrs Tshamano Muhovha, advised them to stop debating and deliver the patient. They, however, continued arguing on the way.

"When we reached the hospital, the ambulance driver left me struggling to put the patient on the stretcher alone. I then asked him to wait for me to finish submitting the patient to the hospital so that he can drop me at the clinic. He then slapped me in the face."

According to her, she became dizzy for a few minutes. "The patient went to the OPD alone and gave birth in front of other patients, as she was not there to give a full report about her condition. "I was still dizzy and shocked. When I asked him why he did that to me, he said I was teaching him how he should work."

The matter was reported to Matron Ralulinga, who referred the matter to the secretary of the hospital Mr Nelson Mabaso. Mabaso said the ambulance driver, who claimed he was tempted by the devil, had already reported the matter to him. He then apologised.

Although it was said that the matter would be discussed in the hospital on Monday so that the ambulance driver could appear before a disciplinary committee, the community matron informed Mathivha on Monday after 11:00 that the ambulance driver would no longer appear before the DC, because she has already reported the matter to the police.

Mathivha said she reported the matter to the police on Saturday, the following day after the incident, because she felt she was humiliated. Mathivha also said she was depressed about the incident because she is still expected to work with the same driver, as he is the only driver available during the day from Monday to Friday.

"This is very painful to me. I am unable to work. I am afraid to accompany him when there is a patient who needs to be transferred. I am afraid he can do more than what he did to me on Friday. The worst thing is that he told me I should understand him as I can also assault my child and say sorry later," said Mathivha.

Other nurses in the clinic also confirmed that they were no longer comfortable to transport patients with the ambulance driver, as they are afraid of him. They claim he was always bully to them even before he allegedly assaulted Mathivha.

Mirror's attempt to get comment from the ambulance driver proved fruitless, as he was not available. The superintendent of the hospital was also not available for comment.

The community matron, Mrs Tshikota, said she couldn't comment on the issue as it was against the policy of the department.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health in Pietersburg, Mr Charley Nkadimeng, acknowledged the incident. He added that incidents of such a nature are not acceptable. "We cannot have a situation where officials are fighting, while neglecting the patient. We assure those who are affected, including the community, that appropriate steps would be taken to correct the situation."

The criminal case against the ambulance driver was scheduled to be heard in Louis Trichardt Magistrate's court on Wednesday.