Patients from hospital in Mpumalanga cite multi-year surgery delays and hygiene failures

Long-standing healthcare concerns at Rob Ferreira Hospital extend far beyond physical building repairs, according to former patients calling for deep systemic accountability, reports Mpumalanga News.

Hygiene issues and surgery delays reported

Elmarië Meyer van der Ham said she has been an outpatient at Rob Ferreira Hospital for 14 years. “When I first went there, it was a very good hospital, but over the years it became worse,” she said.

Recalling her son’s admission in 2020, Van der Ham alleged that his bedding had not been changed, bore bloodstains and contained used needles. She added that during his stay at the hospital she had to clean him herself and claimed he became severely underweight.

According to Van der Ham, doctors at Johannesburg General Hospital later expressed concern about his condition. She said she documented the ordeal with photographs.

According to Gerda Labuschagne, the problems date back many years. She said her mother broke her wrist in January 2015, but underwent surgery only at the end of August. “The delay left her right hand almost useless, and she lost her job after being admitted several times only to be sent home without surgery,” Labuschagne claimed.

Lezane Oosthuizen Fourie described her recent visit to the hospital as ‘very shocking’, claiming the facility lacked wheelchair-friendly toilets, broken doors, poor lighting and sanitation challenges.

Public responsibility and management debate

Not everyone believes the blame rests solely with hospital management.

“The state hospitals are dirty because of the volume of patients that pass through their doors 24/7,” said Diane Rautenbach, adding that she had witnessed emergency wards being deep-cleaned and believes members of the public also have a responsibility to keep facilities clean.

Meanwhile, Dr Corné Ackermann questioned whether the latest South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)-report would lead to meaningful change. She argued that previous investigations had resulted in little action and called for accountability from both the Department of Health (DoH) and the SAHRC. “What has happened since the previous report?” she asked. “Who will be held accountable for more than a decade of failure?”

The comments reflect growing public concern that, while repairing buildings is necessary, improving patient care, reducing waiting times, maintaining cleanliness and ensuring accountability are equally important.

DoH spokesperson Chris Nobela acknowledged receipt of Lowvelder’s media enquiry regarding the allegations but had not provided an official response by the time of publication.

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