Just two weeks after the Gauteng Department of health launched the "I serve with a smile" campaign to adress staff attitudes at their health facilities, three nurses at the Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus have been placed on precautionary suspension. This comes after the minor's mother shared a video of her child sitting on a bed with soiled linen.

The mother laid several complaints against the nurses stationed at her child's ward. Unsuccessful in her quest to get assistance, the mother filmed the condition her child was forced to stay in, including a bed with soiled linen. The video reached the MEC for Health in the province Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko who then paid a surprise visit to the hospital on Wednesday night. Gauteng Health Department's spokesperson Motalatala said the frustrated mother told the MEC that she resorted to resorted to recording a video that showed her son's condition.

Modiba said the child was moved to another ward. "We want to apologise to the family of the minor and to the community at large for the lapse in service. This is totally against the oath of service taken by healthcare professionals and it's also against Batho Pele principles," Modiba said, emphasising that the department had just launched the 'I serve with a smile' campaign aimed at addressing staff attitude towards patients. The campaign is also meant to boost morale amongst healthcare workers and omprove patient experience. "The campaign seeks to encourage every healthcare worker to approach their work with a smile, enthusiasm, empathy and a friendly demeanour remembering that the heart of the health profession lies in serving and caring for patients," Modiba said the corrective measures taken against the nursing staff at Thelle Mogoerane is part of the department's efforts to discourage behaviour that is in conflict with public service ethos and the health profession.The mother of the child is to be satisfied with the outcomes of her complaint.