A video of mothers lugging buckets of water through an Eastern Cape Hospital ward has prompted an apology from the Department of Health after outraged reactions on social media, reports News24.
The footage was from Settlers Hospital in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) during a power outage, where the women’s children were patients, but according to the department, patient care was not compromised because the facility had its own backup water supply.
The hospital has reportedly been without municipal water for days, and NPO Grahamstown Deserves Better has demanded accountability and a full investigation, warning of “unacceptable risk” to patients.
“Settlers Hospital cannot guarantee infection control, safe surgical conditions, or basic hygiene when there is no running water. Patients on chronic medication, post-operative patients, maternity cases, and newborns are placed at immediate and unacceptable risk,” the organisation said.
It claimed that residents in Makhanda have endured weeks, and in some areas, months, of continuous water outages.
“When supply is restored, water is frequently discoloured, odorous, and consistent with sewage contamination,” it added.
Department spokesperson Siyanda Manana confirmed the images were taken at the hospital, but clarified the circumstances.
“The women … were boarder mothers at the hospital who were carrying water intended for bathing and personal hygiene purposes during the recent water outage that affected the entire Makana Local Municipality.”
The water had been provided by the hospital from its own water resources, and was not sourced externally, he said.
“When management became aware of the manner in which the water was being transported, the practice was immediately discontinued.”
Manana added that alternative water was “promptly” provided from the hospital’s backup water tanks, which he said were specifically maintained for service continuity during municipal supply interruptions.
“Patient care was not compromised. Water required for patient essential needs, including bathing and sanitation, remained available.
“Settlers Hospital sincerely apologises to all patients, as well as to everyone affected by this. The management has reviewed and strengthened internal distribution protocols and reinforced operational control measures to ensure similar situations do not occur again,” he said.
A Makana Local Municipality spokesperson said their supply system had been struggling to supply Settlers Hospital and nearby areas, before investigations revealed a “blocked strainer in the system”.
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