The response follows public complaints, including allegations from Gideon Dipheko from Wolmaransstad. He claimed the facility has faced decay for five years. 

Dipheko mentioned a lack of hot water, bathrooms containing waste, and patients, including a mother and child, sleeping on floors due to bed shortages and water leaks.

Spokesperson of the hospital Tebogo Lekgethwane said the photos on social media show a section of the ward that was barricaded and removed from public use for planned maintenance.

“The hospital management sincerely apologises to patients and the broader community for any inconvenience and concern caused. We remain committed to providing a clean, safe, and dignified healthcare environment for all,” said Lekgethwane

“The bathtubs in that area were declared outdated and were awaiting replacement. Management established the barricades were removed without authorisation, leading to the use of non-functional facilities by people despite the area being unserviceable.”

Regarding patient capacity, he said that on the date of the complaints, Tuesday (21/4), the 33-bed ward had 21 patients during the day and 23 at night. These figures contradict claims of patients sleeping on the floor. The hospital further clarified Ward 4 is an antenatal unit for pregnant women, and therefore, reports of a child being admitted to the ward are inaccurate.

The hospital acknowledged specific maintenance challenges, including intermittent hot water supply. Photo supplied 

“All patients in the unit at the time were documented as stable and mobile.” The hospital acknowledged specific maintenance challenges, including intermittent hot water supply. Procurement processes for plumbing materials are currently underway to resolve these issues.

Lekgethwane said the ward receives daily cleaning, which is monitored through signed checklists and supervisor inspections, and remedial actions are currently being implemented, which include the removal of outdated bathtubs and the re-barricading of restricted areas until new facilities are installed.

Additional cleaning personnel were deployed to the ward on 25 April. The hospital apologised for the concerns raised and encouraged the public to use internal complaint mechanisms to allow for direct intervention and resolution of service delivery issues.

OFM News/Refilwe Bekane dg

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