Share

2 330+ needlestick injuries for Gauteng health workers

Johannesburg - Health workers suffered more than 2 330 needlestick injuries in Gauteng in the past three years, prompting the need for more protection and training, the DA in the province said on Tuesday.

According to the party's Jack Bloom, the highest number of needlestick injuries last year was at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, with 252, followed by Steve Biko Hospital with 154 injuries; Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, 100; the Ann Latsky Nursing College in Johannesburg, with 66; and Kalafong Hospital in Pretoria with 48.

''There is a high risk of HIV/Aids exposure with needlestick injuries, which is why a 28-day ARV course is prescribed in such cases. This is often unpleasant and debilitating,'' said Bloom.

''I am concerned that no formal survey has been done to determine the causes of the high number of needle injuries, but the department says there are plans to do this.''

He called for more protection for medical staff, and the use of safety needles and special training to minimise these injuries.

Bloom said eight hospitals did not report any needlestick injuries in 2014.

They were: Pretoria West Hospital, Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria, Cullinan Hospital outside Pretoria, Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital in Johannesburg, Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging, Sebokeng Hospital in Vereeniging, Tambo Memorial in Boksburg and Heidelberg Hospital.

The information was gleaned from a reply to questions the party put to the province's Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu.

Comment was not immediately available from the health department.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
42% - 391 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
58% - 540 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE