WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Weekend pass patients will forfeit 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.
A response is still awaited from the Department of Health.