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Sources at the hospital on Wednesday alleged that reports of patient abuse were often received when a particular group of nurses was on duty.

They said some nurses believed to be from Lady Rodwell wrote a letter to the matron in charge of the hospital last month to inform the authorities about what they termed the “brutalisation of patients” but the authorities did not act.

A woman who identified herself as Stha Ndlovu (20) of Woodville said a nurse slapped her until her ears started “ringing” when she gave birth at UBH on 9 August.

“I gave birth at about 4am. The nurse repeatedly slapped me on the face and around the ears saying I was too lazy to push.

“I was crying from both the pain of labour and the beating. It is my first time to give birth and I thought it was the normal procedure,” said Ms Ndlovu.

She said when she told her friends about her ordeal the following day, they advised her to report the matter to the hospital authorities.

“However, no one seemed to know where and to whom I was to make the report. I swore on that day that I was not going to fall pregnant again,” she said.

Another patient who gave birth on the same day said the nurse kept hitting her and saying she should deliver quickly because the nurse wanted to sleep.

“Please do not publish my name because these people can victimise me when I bring my baby for check-ups. The nurse kept telling me that I enjoyed it when I was getting pregnant, so I should show the same zeal giving birth. She said I should hurry up because she wanted to sleep,” said the patient.

A 34-year-old woman from Riverside suburb said patients’ abuse had been going on for years at the hospital.

“My two babies were born at UBH. If I ever get pregnant again, I will not go there because it is a hell on earth. The nurses are very cruel,” said the woman.

Some UBH officials said nurses who turned the labour ward into a “nightmare” for patients were known. They said the nurses did not deserve to work with the people.

“It is surprising that no action has been taken to date. Nursing is more than a profession, it is a divine calling. It needs a very patient person who can calm patients that are often frightened and in pain. I think these people took up nursing just because they had nothing else to do,” said the official on condition of anonymity.

Contacted for comment on Wednesday, the acting UBH chief executive officer Dr Narcisaus Dzvanga admitted that there were reports of patients’ abuse but said the stories were difficult to prove.

“Some of the stories are unbelievable. We encourage anyone who has complaints to put them in writing to make it easier to carry out investigations. Some of these reports sound so exaggerated and without written evidence, they could give the hospital a bad name,” said Dr Dzvanga.

He said if any patient felt they had been ill-treated, they should make a report to the matron in charge of the ward. “If they are not satisfied with the way their cases have been handled, they are free to approach the office of the CEO. However, I think you should come to my office tomorrow for a detailed comment,” he said.

Yesterday, he was not answering his mobile phone.