A male medical intern doctor at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, died on duty on 12 May 2025 after his supervisor denied him sick leave.

Reports indicate that the supervisor denied him leave because the intern had allegedly exceeded allocated leave days, forcing him to work while unwell. The young doctor had recently been diagnosed with diabetes.

The Public Servants Association (PSA), representing a large constituency of healthcare professionals across Kwa-Zulu Natal, has issued a state of emergency request to Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi, expressing deepest sorrow and anger over the preventable death of the young intern doctor.

In a statement, the PSA wrote, “Honourable MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi, this death is a stark and painful warning that failure to act decisively puts more lives at risk-both of patients and the very professionals meant to serve them. The PSA stands ready to support all efforts to bring justice to this intern’s family and reform the systematic rot that contributed to his passing”.

The Prince Mshiyeni Hospital is infamous for its hostile behaviour towards patients, with some unprofessional staff who allegedly treat patients with cruelty. This incident is reportedly not the first cry for help about the inhumane treatment that healthcare workers and patients receive from the Hospital.

The PSA added that they have previously picketed and delivered memoranda to the Head of Department and the MEC for Health, raising serious concerns about ill-treatment of staff. To date, no meaningful investigation has been conducted.

The PSA and the family of the young intern who lost his life under careless, neglectful management are demanding justice and will not rest until visible and justifiable actions are taken against the supervisor and all staff involved.