Patients at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, who were granted a weekend pass due to the water shutdown in Kimberley from October 6 to 10, were informed that they would forfeit their beds.
PATIENTS at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, who were granted a pass out for the weekend due to the water shutdown from October 6 to 10, were informed that they would forfeit their beds.
They indicated that they had been waiting for several weeks to undergo surgery where they felt isolated from their families.
“We were informed that the backlog is due to a shortage of theatre nurses, a lack of linen, beds, resources and water. This is while the surgeons are willing to perform surgeries.
“We requested to go home for the weekend but were told that we would lose our beds and that we would be placed at the bottom of the theatre waiting list. There is no water at the hospital when the supply is cut by the municipality.”
Patients handed in a letter to the CEO of the hospital, Dr Alastair Kantani, earlier this week to express their discontent and unhappiness over having to be admitted for a lengthy time while awaiting treatment.
“It is unacceptable that cancer patients have to wait so long to be operated on. Many of us are from out of town and are far from home while we need a support system. It also has a negative financial repercussion – those of us who are employed do not have such a lot of leave days and will not be paid for the time that we are away. The prolonged wait is creating a bottleneck and a shortage of beds – that is why patients are sleeping on the floor.”
They were concerned that their conditions would worsen while they waited to undergo surgery.
“We are worried that the cancer might spread while we are languishing here at the hospital. Cancer is wreaking havoc on my hormones and I feel as if I am suffering from bipolar disorder.”
One patient indicated that she has developed bed sores.
“The linen is only changed every two weeks, if you are lucky, so we are lying in our own sweat. If we have not brought our own linen, we lie on the same sheets for weeks as the laundry is sent to be cleaned in Upington.”
A breast cancer patient stated that she had developed a septic infection.
“All they can do for now is wash the wound while I wait for a mastectomy. I was previously admitted and waited for seven weeks but was discharged as no surgery could be performed. Now I am back and I have been here for over a month already.”
Meanwhile, casualty patients were reported to be lying on the floor or on benches.
Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Lulu Mxekezo said on that the hospital was trying to assist all patients at the accident and emergency unit.
She acknowledged that there were challenges regarding available beds. “The department is currently exploring other avenues to deal with the challenge.”
Mxekezo stated that there was an average of between 30 to 40 patients in the surgical recovery unit per day.
“Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital recently opened 11 beds in short stay including medical recovery to deal with the bed shortage.”
She added that the department had recruited more personnel for health facilities.
“Medical professions leave due to retirement or are poached by other provinces, although the department continues to replace those who exit the system.”
She indicated that Sol Plaatje Municipality had promised to refill the water storage tanks in order to provide back-up water for both patients and personnel during the water shutdown.
