The Pietersburg Provincial Hospital has in recent weeks been criticised for unhygienic conditions, among which is the prevalence of rodents and other pests.

Spokesperson Neil Shikwambana confirmed that despite efforts to fumigate on a quarterly basis, there has been an increase in pests at the facility.

“The hospital is due for another pest control fumigation exercise before the end of July,” he said, but could not confirm if this had been done in the previous quarter.

His response came after complaints by two patients, who said they witnessed rats and cockroaches in the ward they were in last Wednesday.

“Upon informing the nurses on duty, one of them casually told us that there were many rats and cockroaches in the hospital.”

The woman told the Polokwane Observer that when she enquired about the fumigation processes, the nurse told her that the matter had been reported in January and February but that the responsible unit had not arranged this.

Shikwambana commented on this allegation, saying the hospital’s environmental health unit was looking into the matter so that the necessary measures are put in place if there indeed is a concerning cause”.

The patient further explains that there was no effort from staff to even chase away or contain the rodents.

The EFF chairperson in Limpopo, Tshilidzi Maraga, who was the first to release a public statement on the matter last Monday, said they were worried about possible food contamination in the hospital and that the party would report the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission.

“Patients are not comfortable eating the hospital’s food. The Polokwane hospital has become a breeding ground for cockroaches and rats.

“The hygiene at the hospital is hugely compromised, and it is evident that they do not have pest control systems in place,” a statement reads.

MEC spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha could not be reached for immediate comment, while Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba responded by referring us to the relevant spokesperson.