State of hospitals a filthy disgrace

Recently, I visited my father-in-law at Jane Furse Memorial Hospital. On my arrival, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the condition of the outside environment.

The ground is covered with lots of shrubs and tall grasses, which are not being mowed. I’m afraid snakes can sneak out of such a bushy site and enter into the wards through the windows.

When I inspected the hospital buildings, they were dilapidated. It seems nobody cares about the bad condition of the hospital.

When I checked the bed sheets, they had some blood spots and seemed not to be washed. However, my main concern is the tall grasses and shrubs.

I lost my two brothers who were hospitalised at Jane Furse Hospital, due to gross negligence of the nursing staff. The hospital was even named ‘Maotong a lena’, loosely translated as following in the dead’s footsteps, by people who came to check on their relatives. I’m not sure if the hospital is understaffed or what.

Another hospital in a mess is Chris Hani Baragwanath. A normal hospital should be known by its hygienic conditions, not bloody sheets and rocking beds. They say cleanliness is next to godliness, but in some hospitals filth rules.

How can nurses and doctors work under such life-threatening conditions? The lives of the poor patients are at stake as long as the minister of health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, doesn’t take urgent steps to address problems in our hospitals.

Nurses should be taught to be patient with patients and not ill-treat them. Doctors and nurses shouldn’t forget that they pledged to serve patients with dedication and to save lives.

Hospitals in a total mess have no mercy for the suffering patients.

Amos Tebeila Mohlaletse, Limpopo