Vryheid Hospital buckles under water crises weight

CERTAIN health services have had to be suspended and patients are being referred to neighbouring hospitals as the struggles of the water crisis have hit Vryheid Hospital hard.

KwaZulu-Natal Health Department spokesman Sam Mkhwanazi confirmed that the hospital was running out of water despite receiving some water supplies during the week as water is a very crucial commodity in the health department.

Staff members confirmed that although the municipality had agreed to bring four tankers of water per day weekly, the water truck sometimes does not arrive.

“The hospital is using water from its borehole. This is, however, not sufficient. The hospital is unable to provide certain health-care services. Patients requiring these services are referred to other hospitals,” said Mkhwanazi.

A staff member at the hospital who wished not to be named said that the staff were trying to cut down on elective surgery and maternity admissions.

There is also doubt that the hospital will continue to deliver 400 babies a month with the current water shortage. Other concerns besides the desperate need for water, is steam to sterilise laundry and theatre gowns. Some laundry and clothing is currently being sent to Newcastle for washing.

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