By Karabo Rammutla
In the midst of battling rolling blackouts, Kalafong Hospital’s taps have now run completely dry.
The City of Tshwane has been facing water shortages for more than a week due to constrained supply to reservoirs by Rand Water.
To make matters worse, it is not known when the reservoir supplying the hospital with water will be filled.
Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited the facility on Monday and water tankers were then dispatched to the hospital. Cleaners, nurses and even patients had to queue for water at the tanks.
Relatives of frail patients said they have to go to the hospital daily to fetch water for their loved ones.
Arina Lekalakala said her sister who had just given birth called her and begged her to bring some water.
“She couldn’t walk outside to get water. Cleaners and nurses are tired of going up and down fetching water. The situation is dire,” she told Scrolla.Africa.
Visitor Nakodeni Kabini said every patient must now buy their own bottled water or die of thirst. “I’ve seen in the ward where my mother is admitted, there’s a five-litre bottle of water next to every patient. It is the time we’re in, we must just adapt, the country has gone to the dogs.”
Gift of the Givers has come to the aid of Kalafong Hospital and donated 1,920 five-litre bottles of water to the hospital.
The humanitarian NGO’s Gauteng community liaison officer Clifford Mabe said: “Our team delivered bottled water for patients as they need water, especially to take their medication.”
Meanwhile, the city of Tshwane tweeted: “Atteridgeville HL reservoir that supplies Kalafong Hospital is still empty due to the pressure from Rand Water not being sufficient for the water to reach the reservoir. A dedicated water tanker has been deployed to fill the hospital’s tanks.”
Daryll Johnston, the member of the mayoral committee (MMC) responsible for utility services, said the water problems were improving but power cuts remained a threat to a regular water supply.
He said the City of Tshwane has been working closely with Rand Water to restore water to Tshwane.
“Only a few high-lying areas are remaining with water challenges,” he said.
Pictured above: Kalafong Hospital is facing serious challenges with its water supply
Image source: Karabo Rammutla
