Johannesburg – Elim Hospital in Makhado, Vhembe district is in such a shambles the Public Servants Association (PSA) on Tuesday described it as a “death trap”.
Commenting after a visit to the dilapidated hospital, the PSA said it was “horrified by the state of the hospital building”.
The union added: “The roof is leaking, and ceilings are collapsing. None of the toilets are functional.
“They smell bad and do not flush, forcing employees to carry buckets of water.”
The hospital relies on water supply from the Vhembe District Municipality.
However, the municipality does not provide water every week, leaving the hospital without the potential of causing cross-infection as employees cannot even wash their hands.
“Cleaning is also compromised by the lack of water,” the PSA said.
The union added that the hospital does not have a plan to permanently address the water shortage.
The PSA said this was “extremely concerning” as employees were working in an unhealthy and unhygienic workplace.
“The Department of Health has not demonstrated any seriousness in addressing these issues although it acknowledged that the issue of water affects parts of the Vhembe and Mopani districts,” the union said.
“It is, however, concerning that the matter was allowed to continue for so long without the necessary intervention.”
The PSA called on the MEC of Heath to urgently address these problems as workers are subjected to a hazardous and unconducive working environment in violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The PSA said it also approached the Department of Employment and Labour to conduct building inspections, without success, as the Department seems to be inadequately staffed, making it easy for employers to get away with non-compliance.
“There is an urgent need for renovation of the building and addressing of the water shortage to create a conducive and safe working environment,” the PSA said.
“The Department is failing to ensure that the municipality continuously provides water to the hospital.”
The PSA said even though water was a necessity, the problem went as far back as 2019 after two boreholes dried up at the hospital.
The union warned that the failure to address “this matter” will potentially lead to the closure of hospitals around Vhembe and Mopani districts.
“No hospital can operate without a water supply,” the PSA said.
“Another borehole was drilled outside the hospital grounds, which is not assisting as it is unable to provide water for the hospital and community members who are also suspected to have connected illegally.”
