Taps run dry at Dr CN Phatudi Hospital
Limpopo's Dr CN Phatudi Hospital faces severe water shortages, leaving toilets unflushed and hygiene compromised for patients.
TZANEEN – Inpatients at Dr C.N. Phatudi Hospital in Shinuvane have confirmed that the facility is experiencing a severe water shortage, leaving basic hygiene conditions compromised.
Patients forced to carry buckets to flush toilets
Patients say water is only available for limited periods, reportedly between 05:00 and 07:00 and again in the evening, when they can bathe. Outside of these times, there is no running water at the hospital.
As a result, ward toilets are being flushed using buckets and 5-litre bottles filled with water, which patients must carry themselves.
Ablution facilities used by outpatients and people visiting for daily consultations are also without water.
This has led to toilets being used without flushing or proper handwashing, leaving them dirty and unhygienic.
“The toilets are dirty and unhygienic,” one admitted patient told the Herald. “There are water tankers that distribute water, but it is still not enough for the whole facility. As far as I know, the hospital has boreholes, so I don’t understand why the taps are dry. This situation is harmful, especially for elderly patients, children, and those who are seriously ill. It needs to be fixed immediately.”
Borehole broken since August
In response, Limpopo Department of Health spokesperson Derrick Kganyago confirmed that the hospital is facing ongoing water supply challenges due to multiple factors.
He explained that the hospital depends on three main water sources: two boreholes and the Tours/Masumo Dam system.
One borehole, located on the hospital premises, is still operational but runs dry at times. A second borehole, which serves as the main supply and is located in Myakayaka village several kilometres away, broke down in August last year after being affected by illegal connections in the community.
The hospital has also recently been disconnected from the Tours/Masumo Dam supply, which served as its third water source.
Department blames municipalities
Kganyago said the department has engaged both the Greater Tzaneen Municipality and Mopani District Municipality (MDM) regarding the water supply challenges.
He said the MDM technical support team has made several attempts to repair the Myakayaka borehole, but the problem persists due to a suspected fault in the electrical cable, linked to illegal connections.
He added that illegal connections remain a major challenge and said municipalities also need to take responsibility for addressing the issue.
