Water shortages led to nearly 400 operations being cancelled in 16 hospitals across Gauteng in the first six months of this year – most of them on the East Rand.
This was revealed by Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko this week, in response to a question from the DA’s Jack Bloom.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said Pholosong Hospital on the East Rand had cancelled 127 surgeries and deferred another 36. This was followed by Edenvale Regional Hospital with 117 operations cancelled, reports News24.
She said Helen Joseph Hospital had experienced water supply challenges from March to September, which resulted in the cancellation of 36 operations.
“Kalafong Hospital had major water shortages from 28 January to 9 September,” she added, but staff implemented measures to avoid cancelling surgeries.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said some hospitals experienced internal reticulation problems, and that the Health Department was considering a sustainable water and electricity supply initiative to ensure water security at all of Gauteng’s public hospitals.
“All hospitals will have tankers and boreholes, rainwater harvesting, and grey water reuse with water purification plans per facility. These are in addition to the normal water from local government through the normal water supply system or water tankers,” she said.
Bloom said some hospitals did not have water pumps to get water to higher floors, and low-pressure was also a problem at Tembisa and Edenvale Hospitals.
He added that better maintenance should also be a priority because leaking pipes aggravated the problem.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Gauteng hospitals struggle with water issues
Gauteng Health: Water supply challenges at hospitals affecting care
Water crisis poses massive infection risk at Helen Joseph Hospital