Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
16 November 2023 | 13:56 CAT

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Sixteen Gauteng public hospitals have experienced water cuts this year, forcing the cancellation of 392 operations.

This was revealed by the Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nonomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to questions by the DA’s Jack Bloom in the Gauteng Legislature.

Bloom had asked how many operations had to be cancelled or deferred because of water shortages and which hospitals had experienced water challenges this year.

According to Nkomo-Ralehoko, Pholosong Hospital on the East Rand had the most cancelled operations; six water cuts led to 127 cancelled operations and 36 deferred operations.

The Helen Joseph Hospital had seven water supply interruptions from March to September this year, with 36 operations cancelled.

Edenvale Hospital had to cancel 117 operations because of 7 periods with low pressure or no water, sometimes lasting as long as a week.

“Negative effects on patients included being unable to clean, cook, and operate essential equipment like boilers, laundry and autoclave sterilisers,” Bloom stated.

Kalafong Hospital had major water shortages this year on 28 January and 9 September but used contingency measures to avoid cancelling any surgery.

Bloom pointed out the water problems are not only because of Rand Water or municipality cuts – no fewer than 11 hospitals lost water because of internal pipe breakages. These include the Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, George Mukhari, Steve Biko, Tembisa, Kalafong, Edenvale, Leratong, Yusuf Dadoo, Kopanong and Jubilee hospitals.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said some hospitals experienced internal reticulation problems. The Health Department was considering a sustainable water and electricity supply initiative to ensure water security at all of Gauteng’s public hospitals.

“All hospitals will have tankers and boreholes, rainwater harvesting, and grey water reuse with water purification plans per facility. These are in addition to the normal water from local government through the normal water supply system or water tankers,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.

Bloom said some hospitals needed more water pumps to get water to higher floors, and low pressure was also a problem at Tembisa and Edenvale Hospitals.

He added that better maintenance should also be a priority because leaking pipes aggravated the problem.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.