Health department responds to allegations against Clairwood Hospital for serving patients maggot-infested food
Social media has since been abuzz with public outcry, with people expressing their shock and disgust at the inhumane treatment.
CLAIRWOOD Hospital has come under the spotlight after Covid-19 patients, who were kept in isolation, claimed they were being served stale food with maggots.
Clairwood Hospital is one of only a handful of KZN hospitals which have been identified as Covid-19 isolation facilities. The allegations surfaced when patients, some of whom have been in isolation for more than 14 days, complained on social media about being served stale food. They also claimed that meals were often served late.
Social media has since been abuzz with public outcry, with people expressing their shock and disgust at the inhumane treatment.
Responding to the allegations made against the hospital, the Department of Health said that the matter is currently under investigation by management of the eThekwini health district, which oversees the functioning of Clairwood Hospital.
The KZN Department of Health said in a media statement, that it notes with concern the photographs that are being circulated which purport to depict stale food that was allegedly served at Clairwood Hospital. “Although preliminary evidence shows that the expiry date of the food item in question is listed as August 2020, the Department is leaving nothing to chance, and has instituted an investigation into this matter.
“The Department is also worried that at no point was any of its staff or senior officials notified of any challenges with the quality of the food, and that the first time hospital management became aware of the matter was when it appeared on social media. The Department wishes to assure the public that it will endeavour, as it has always done, to ensure strict adherence to hygiene and the highest safety standards for patients’ food, which is paramount.”
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