/ 7 March 2001

RAPE COUNSELLORS BACK AT WORK

MPUMALANGA’s embattled health department has bowed to public pressure and withdrawn all disciplinary charges against doctors and nurses who tried to help rural rape victims get counselling and free anti-Aids drugs. Rob Ferreira hospital superintendent Dr Thys van Mollendorf and three senior managers were charged with gross misconduct last month after allowing the Greater Nelspruit Rape Intervention Project (GRIP) into their wards without written permission. Lowveld district health manager Careen Swart was fired on similar charges, but was also reinstated after challenging her dismissal. – African Eye News Service