Recently, the Vryburg-based Joe Morolong Hospital in the North West was hit by water shortages. 

However, according to the provincial Health Department, the water issue at the hospital is now a thing of the past with the water supply allegedly restored. 

The departmental spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, says MEC Madoda Sambatha has since acted swiftly to deal with the challenges of water shortages at the hospital in Vryburg.

Lekgethwane says Sambatha has already been to the facility where he called a meeting with a team of managers and specialists to assess the extent of the challenges and recommend immediate, short and long-term solutions to the challenges.

“The department can confirm that Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital, as a regional hospital, was affected by the water shortage in the region of Vryburg which saw the communities demonstrating last week." MEC Sambatha said that the hospital is connected to the municipal line of supply and is therefore also affected when the community is facing water supply interruptions.

The reservoir at the facility has been filled and the connection changed to allow 70% flow to wards and 30% to hydrants.

"The department, together with the management of the hospital, has implemented immediate actions to mitigate against the future shortage of water in the facility and an intervention plan has been put in motion,” he added.

There is an ongoing process to install six additional Jojo tanks and a replacement of one industrial pump and valve, controlling the water supply to the hospital wards and to the fire hydrants.

Lekgethwane further adds that as a long-term plan to ensure a permanent supply of water, the department got approval to continue and finalise the connection of the borehole to the hospital and the Bill of Quantity (BOQ) is complete and the Supply Chain Management process has been initiated.

OFM News