Douglas — An investigation is to be launched into allegations of a Northern Cape doctor refusing to give a patient with a head injury medical attention and instead tended to an injured dog, says Premier Dipuo Peters.

Medical assistance should be provided to all people without any discrimination, said the premier, adding that human life should be treated with dignity and respect.

According to a statement from the Premier's Office, the doctor refused to give medical attention to a patient who had a head injury and was visibly distraught.

The doctor did, however, react when a member of the public entered the hospital with an injured dog, giving the dog medical assistance in the hospital.

It is believed the doctor had made arrangements with the dog owner to bring the dog in for treatment.

When approached by authorities, he said that the dog's condition requested urgent attention as the animal was bleeding.

The Department of Health has instituted formal investigations into the conduct of the man, whose name cannot be revealed at this stage.

Ms Peters requested that the case also be reported to the Public Protector and the Human Rights Commission.

She said the doctor should have known that the hospital facilities are meant for human beings and not dogs.