Complaints alleging unhygienic and filthy conditions at a hospital in Gqeberha have been deflected by the Eastern Cape Department of Health, which said the allegations “did not reflect the overall condition of the hospital or the standard of care provided there”, reports IOL.
Patient Shaun Claasen, who spent three days at the facility, made a point of praising the healthcare workers and staff who attended to him, saying their compassion, despite the challenges they face, was in stark contrast to the state of the ward itself.
But beyond the kindness of nurses and doctors, he described an environment he alleged was unhygienic and undignified for patients already battling illness and vulnerability. He described the ward as “filthy from top to bottom”, with no curtains on the windows, little privacy around beds, leaking basins, no hot water and almost no bedding for patients.
He said some patients received only a sheet and blanket, while others had to rely on linen brought from home.
He also raised concerns about the cleanliness of the floors – saying it was a miracle patients don’t contract superbugs – and the quality of food.
Eastern Cape Health spokesperson Camagwini Mavovana said the department had “noted the concerns raised, particularly in relation to allegations around cleanliness, availability of hot water, bedding, and related service delivery issues”, but added that the facility played a critical role in the province’s healthcare system.
“The Eastern Cape Provincial Hospital remains a key tertiary institution… delivering a wide range of specialised services to the public on a daily basis,” she said.
The provincial government had prioritised infrastructure upgrades and the procurement of essential items, including bedding and linen, as part of efforts to improve healthcare facilities across the province, she noted, and “the department remains committed to continuous improvement and constructive engagement in addressing any identified shortcomings within the system”.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Eastern Cape Health boss faces HRC for department failures
Eastern Cape acts to ease staff shortages, but concerns linger
Public Protector lays bare structural problems at Eastern Cape Health