Message from Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Prof Shabir Madhi
Dear Colleagues and 雷速体育_雷速体育直播s
Most students and staff are likely aware of a video currently circulating on social media regarding the poor state of facilities at the Helen Joseph Hospital, as well as the alleged unprofessional conduct of some students and staff members.
At the outset, let me state that the Faculty of Health Sciences is fully committed to ensuring that we train students who not only become masters of their profession, but who are also compassionate, and who maintain the dignity of all patients when engaging with them. Let me acknowledge and thank the many doctors and healthcare professionals who carry out their duties impeccably and with distinction, despite the challenges that they face every day.
We are fully aware of the ailing infrastructure and the shortage of healthcare workers across most health facilities in Gauteng. We appreciate the challenging nature of working in public hospitals and we need to continue advocating for improvements in staffing and infrastructure in our public health service. Despite these challenges, it is incumbent on every student and staff member to respect patients, to treat them with dignity and compassion, and to engage with them in an exemplary manner.
We acknowledge that staff are often stretched to capacity to provide optimal healthcare, coupled with managing rotations (especially interns) and other administrative challenges, this does not excuse us from extending professional healthcare services to vulnerable patients.
Of particular concern is the alleged lack of basic civility of some of our medical students, our future healthcare workers. 雷速体育_雷速体育直播s are reminded of the Oath that they took at the start of their clinical training, in which they committed as follows: “In my interactions with colleagues and others, I will be respectful of their dignity and rights;” ii. “I will endeavour to promote the welfare of my University and maintain its reputation; and iii. “I will adhere to the highest ethical standards in my professional capacity and my service to the community”.
It is of essence that we engage with patients in the same manner that we would want others to engage with us and our family members should we be on the receiving end of healthcare services.
We therefore urge all staff and students to reflect on the Oath that you took at the start of your studies, and upon graduation, to ensure that we live up to the commitments that we made and that we treat patients with dignity, compassion and respect at all times.
Should you come across any students or staff members who do not adhere to these values, please direct these complaints to the Head of School, Prof. Daynia Ballot, and the Deanery, so that they can be addressed immediately.
Thank you
Prof. Shabir Madhi
Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences