This is according to the departmental spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi. He says the decision by the University of the Free State (UFS) took them by surprise and the department is still shocked by the decision.

This follows two incidents last week where an intern medical student and a doctor were victims of crime. The university’s spokesperson, Lacea Loader, in a statement indicated to OFM News that the School of Clinical Medicine suspended the training of its students at Pelonomi Hospital on Saturday and will thoroughly evaluate the safety and security at the hospital this week. Mvambi says the department understand that this was due to the safety concerns but did not expect such move by the university without proper communication.

Loader, however, said the engagement with the department on the importance of safety at clinical platforms, such as the Pelonomi Hospital, will continue as a matter of urgency. The UFS is currently addressing the media on these safety issues and the subsequent suspension of practical training is said to be at the top of the agenda.

“Although clinical training platforms – such as the Pelonomi Hospital – are under the jurisdiction of the Free State Department of Health, they form a critical part of the training of students in the university’s School of Clinical Medicine,” Loader said.

Mondli says the first line of the security upgrade was done by the university due to the fact that they have their students attending practical sessions at Pelonomi.

OFM News