Poor hygiene standards, spread of disease concern Jubilee Hospital nurses as taps run dry
Healthcare workers at the Hammanskraal hospital, which was at the centre of the 2023 cholera outbreak, said water and sanitation issues were impacting things as simple as washing their hands.
FILE: The Themba regional hospital in Mpumalanga closed its doors temporarily after clashes between staff and angry residents. Picture: © Antonio Diaz/ 123rf.com
PRETORIA - Healthcare workers at Jubilee Hospital in Tshwane say the impact of Gauteng's strained water supply is having a devastating effect on essential services.
The hospital in Hammanskraal was at the centre of a cholera outbreak in 2023.
Close to 200 cases of the water borne disease were reported nationally, and 47 cholera-related deaths were recorded.
It was impossible to ignore the pungent stench of urine that swept through the corridors of Jubilee Hospital.
A nurse put the hygiene and sanitation challenges into perspective: “Imagine that you’re in a hospital setting and you’re unable to wash your hands – just washing your hands.”
Another nurse said many patients were worried about the water sanitation standards in Hammanskraal.
“There are a lot of diseases, [and] there are a lot of contaminations in the hospital. We all are going to get sick.”
Employees at the hospital said they were now concerned about the risk of infection because of dry taps.
GROSS NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS BEING PROBED AFTER STEVE BIKO HOSPITAL DEATH
The Gauteng Department of Health is investigating allegations of gross negligence at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital following the death of a patient.
The department said the incident involving a 28-year-old man was caught on video by a member of the public at the emergency unit on Sunday.
While the contents of the footage were not revealed, authorities said five nurses were placed on precautionary suspension.
“The employees have since been suspended to allow for further investigation into the incident,” said department spokesperson Motletale Modiba.
“The facility management continues to engage the affected family to enable redress processes to unfold.”