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Johannesburg – A whistleblower nurse gave permission for her name to be revealed in a media statement, the North West health department said on Thursday.
Nurses union Denosa however criticised the department for disclosing her name, saying this would place her at risk.
The nurse had revealed details of a doctor who was allegedly performing illegal abortions at Brits hospital.
She and the hospital’s CEO were named in the statement released on Monday, in which she was praised for her actions, North West health department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.
“When we requested their information, they didn’t have a problem. They are equally disgusted by the illegal practice," he said.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa said the anonymity of whistleblowers who acted in the public’s interest should be maintained at all times.
"This revelation has exposed their lives to potential danger,” it said in a statement.
It demanded that the department apologise to the nurse and said it would be held accountable should anything happen to her.
Lekgethwane said whistleblowers were in no danger.
