Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Mmametlhake Hospital in Mpumalanga is experiencing a severe water shortage amid concerns about the delivery of health services.
Commenting on the matter on Wednesday, (8 January 2025), the Public Servants Association (PSA) of South Africa said was “deeply concerned about the ongoing water shortage at Mmametlhake Hospital”.
The union said the water shortage has severely impacted the delivery of health services and represents a significant violation of human rights.
“A consistent water supply is essential for infection control and the proper implementation of acceptable health practices,” the PSA said.
“The lack of water in this facility poses a serious risk to the health and safety of both patients and staff.”
The PSA said it recently held discussions with the acting district manager and the acting CEO of Mmametlhake Hospital regarding the persistent water supply problem.
“Unfortunately, hospital management indicated that they rely on the municipality for assistance, as the water supply is under municipal jurisdiction,” the PSA said.
“While they committed to finding a solution to this crisis, the plans they presented to the PSA do not provide a permanent resolution.
“The employer’s proposal suggested that staff members carry water buckets from the Jojo tanks to their offices.”
The PSA said it rejected this suggestion and requested the intervention of Occupational Health and Safety Inspectors from the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) to advocate for the staff’s release from this task.
“Nevertheless, management has stated that they are actively working on a permanent solution, with a team of specialists from the province expected to assist them before the end of the business day,” the PSA said.
The union said the Mpumalanga Department of Health “continues to jeopardise” the health and safety of employees by expecting them to work in unsafe conditions.
The PSA said it cannot accept this situation as this poses a significant risk not only to union members and staff but also to patients and the wider community due to the associated health risks.
The union said it was very concerned about the lack of urgency surrounding this issue, and in the meantime, our members and others remain exposed to these dangers.
The union said it was now engaging with the Department of Health Provincial Management.
“The intervention of DEL is crucial as this issue must be thoroughly investigated, and if necessary, a prohibition order should be issued until the water crisis is resolved,” said the PSA.
Contacted by The Bulrushes for comment, the Mpumalanga Department of Health acknowledged the water supply crisis at the hospital and assured the issue was being resolved.
Provincial Health Department Spokesperson Chris Nobela said the hospital had a breakdown of the water supply infrastructure, which includes pumps and borehole machines.
He said, as a temporary relief measure, the local municipality was dispatching water tankers to the hospital.
“The hospital’s source of water is the boreholes,” said Nobela.
“We experience machinery breakdown with prompt response from public works and district infrastructure.
“Efforts to get a new pump were not successful because suppliers had closed shop for the festive.
“The pump could only be obtained on 7/01/2025 and fitted this morning 8/01/2025.
“In the interim, the hospital used the tanker to get water from the local reservoir.
“The district team had connected jojo tanks close to the units. Water was available albeit not through the automated system.”
Nobela said the infrastructure would be upgraded to enable a larger capacity of water supply.
“The installed pump is not channeling sufficient amounts of water, however, the department’s infrastructure [section] will bring a bigger size pump later today,” said Nobela.
“The two boreholes are functional and we hope they will pick up later in the day.
“The municipality is bringing water to fill up the water reservoir.”
