Water cuts disrupt services at Chris Hani Clinic

DA Ekurhuleni PR Clr Sinethemba Matiwane is concerned about the lack of a water supply backup at the Chris Hani Clinic in Villa Liza. He said the situation puts patients at risk of infections, and constantly disrupts healthcare services.

Matiwane was told the backup system at the clinic, in ward 45, had not operated for over a year after a malfunction in the pump system.
“As a result, there are constant disruptions to clinic services because of the intermittent water supply outages in the area. This situation sometimes leads to the temporary closure of the facility, leaving patients stranded.

“The facility services thousands of families in Villa Liza, including the informal settlements and surrounding townships. When it is closed, patients must travel to the Dawn Park Clinic kilometres away or pay for private healthcare at Unjani Clinic, putting more pressure on the alternative facilities,” Matiwane said.
“I visited the clinic after community members complained about it closing and patients being turned away.
“When I got there, management pointed out that the intermittent closure of the facility is not by choice, saying the high risk of infections during water outages prompts the clinic to shut its doors and attend only to people already in the queue.”

Matiwane said the management’s health fears were understandable.
“Healthcare centres should all have a functioning water supply backup system, and it is unacceptable that the city did not address the situation for over a year.

“The DA reported this matter to the city’s Real Estate Department and called on them to immediately repair the crucial water supply backup tanks.

“Without a proper alternative water source, the staff and patients cannot use the bathrooms or toilets during a water outage or when repairs to water infrastructure in the area are underway.
“We urge council to expedite this matter and repair the tanks or arrange for temporary tanks to assist staff and the communities of wards 45 and 99 who use this facility.

The metro has not yet responded to our request for comment. However, when the Boksburg Advertiser visited the clinic on June 28, the facility was fully operational, and there was no water outage. We tried speaking to the management but we were told the person in charge was unavailable. The staff declined to talk on the record about the water issues.

A patient in the queue, who chose to remain anonymous, told this publication that the intermittent water supply frequently disrupted services at the clinic.
“Sometimes, when there is no water, we are forced to travel to Dawn Park Clinic or pay for private healthcare at Unjani Clinic,” said the patient.

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