Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

While Limpopo is experiencing a major shortage of doctors one hospital in particular is faced with a mass exodus of medics owing to their allegedly being treated badly by management.

Malamulele Hospital has had at least four doctors resigning from the institution since May this year.

At the centre of the row are allegations that management practises ethnic favouritism.

"For instance, if you raise issues with management related to your work you are seen as troublesome person," complained Takalani Madula, a doctor who worked at the institution for 21 months.

He said he was forced to resign at the end of September and is now unemployed.

"Malamulele is a predominantly Shangaan-speaking area and I'm Venda. Whenever I raised issues with management I was called names.

"We raised our concerns with the provincial department of health but never received a response. Instead we were victimised."

According to the official records of the provincial department the province has just over 500 doctors but requires no less than 6000 to cope with the province's medical needs.

The hospital's chief executive, Valerie Risenga, refused to comment to Sowetan, referring all enquiries to the provincial department.