LIMPOPO – A video shared on social media regarding the conditions of the outpatient department (OPD) toilets at Kgapane Hospital has sparked an outcry among the community and healthcare stakeholders.

Health MEC’s spokesperson Kapudi Moagi said in a statement in reaction to the video that the department acknowledges that some buildings within the hospital are older and may exhibit signs of wear.

“However, it is essential to note that the male toilet shown in the video does not reflect the current state of our facilities. We have included a recent photo of the toilet to illustrate the improvements made. It appears that the video may have been edited to present a misleading narrative, particularly concerning the toilet in question. The issue reported on Thursday, January 2, regarding a blockage was due to improper disposal of items such as sanitary pads and disposable nappies, and our maintenance team addressed this issue promptly on the same day,” said Moagi.

Moagi said that while they recognise the challenges posed by aging infrastructure, they want to assure the public that their dedicated team is committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and accessibility in their facilities.

“The OPD is a crucial component of our hospital, and we continuously strive to provide a comfortable environment for all visitors. We would also like to clarify a common misconception highlighted in the video: access to toilet facilities at Kgapane Hospital is entirely free for all visitors. There is no charge for using these essential services. Additionally, we are aware of concerns regarding water availability in some toilet cisterns. Our department is actively collaborating with the water service authority to address illegal connections and perforations in the mainline, which have contributed to low water pressure and shortages at Kgapane Hospital,” Moagi concluded.