Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
9 September 2024 | 12:00 CAT
3 min read

Former broadcaster Tom London has criticised the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg for what he describes as “atrocious facilities” and “disgusting toilets” after a recent stay. London, who left the hospital after nearly two weeks, shared his experience in a viral Facebook video, highlighting severe issues, including unsanitary conditions, lack of dignity, and inadequate medical care.

He reported poor treatment, such as lying in his own faeces and witnessing inadequate medical responses, leading him to seek alternative care at a private hospital through crowdfunding.

In an interview with Radio Islam, DA’s Jack Bloom described the problems at Helen Joseph Hospital as “long-standing and deeply rooted.” Bloom emphasized that the hospital’s issues reflect systemic failures that have persisted over time, contributing to the appalling conditions reported by patients like Tom London.

“To start off with, we haven’t had permanency for years now. The present acting CEO is also in charge of the Rahima Moosa Hospital; how do you expect him to manage two hospitals at the same time? For many years, people have been complaining about the deterioration of Helen Joseph Hospital. Half the toilets don’t work; ceilings are flaking and everything else that Mr London described in his video, and the reason his video went viral, is probably because so many people have experienced similar problems in our public hospitals,” he said.

Bloom criticised the Gauteng health department for long-term neglect of Helen Joseph Hospital. He pointed out ongoing corruption and inefficiency within the system, asserting that these issues contribute to the suffering of patients and calls for accountability and an end to tolerating incompetence in the healthcare sector.

London mentioned that Premier Panyaza Lesufi had promised to visit him, but Jack Bloom expressed uncertainty about whether this meeting would take place. Bloom emphasised that the root of the problem lies at the top levels of leadership. He questioned how individuals with allegations against them could be appointed and criticised the continued employment of unsuitable personnel. “If we had another Babita Deokran in the Health department, she would be silenced,” he remarked.

Bloom’s message to Lesufi is perfectly clear: Significant change is needed at the highest levels of management to address these issues.

He highlighted that if the issues of poor treatment, incompetence, and corruption at the top management levels of our health department are not addressed, many more patients will face similar experiences in our public hospitals.

“If you can’t do basic things like keeping the hospital clean and the poor attitude of doctors is this particular case need to be examined. Something is clearly wrong; Mr London has done us a great favour by publicising what is going on and galvanising the public. Hopefully, the public outcry should force the required change,” Bloom said.

The provincial health department is investigating the allegations and has announced ongoing efforts to improve hospital conditions and staff attitudes.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Jack Bloom, member of the DA, here.