Nursing shortage highlighted at Tembisa Hospital
"Despite this, there are often only three nurses on duty during any given shift. Patients told me stories of stressed out nursing staff, filthy ablutions and women in labour being forced to wait on hard wooden benches."
Following allegation that a pregnant woman was almost forced to give birth on the floor at the Tembisa Hospital recently, the DA’s MPL Refiloe Nt’sekhe visited the hospital to view the conditions for herself.
MPL Nt’sekhe said some of the hospital staff informed her that they deliver approximately 1 500 babies a month in the hospital’s maternity unit, which can mean up to 50 deliveries a day.
“Despite this, there are often only three nurses on duty during any given shift. Patients told me stories of stressed out nursing staff, filthy ablutions and women in labour being forced to wait on hard wooden benches.
“These are not the hospital conditions the people of Tembisa deserve. These are not the conditions that pregnant women who are in pain and in labour deserve. These are not the conditions that our children deserve to be brought into this world,” she said.
MPL Nt’sekhe said she will be writing to the Gauteng Health MEC, Ms Qedani Mahlangu, to request urgent improvements to facilities, particularly the maternity ward at the Tembisa Hospital.
“One way to provide this community with better quality health care is to commit to reopening the Kempton Park Hospital to assist with serving the greater area of Tembisa,” she said.
The Tembisan requested comment from Mr Steve Mabona, from the Department of Health.
He said comment will be forwarded after he has consulted with the Tembisa Hospital.
