As the Hester Malan hospital in Douglas enters its second month with no water, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding answers and action from Health MEC, Maruping Lekwene.
The DA conducted an oversight inspection to the hospital on Saturday, 28 June 2025, after receiving complaints about a lack of water and growing mounds of unwashed linen, gowns and scrubs. See pics here, here and here.
The hospital has become a health and safety hazard to patients and staff because infection control measures cannot be fully implemented. In addition to the risk posed by contaminated laundry, patients also cannot properly clean themselves, having to rely on containers of cold water as temperatures plummet. Doctors and nurses cannot adequately wash their hands, risking cross contamination. Wards, bathrooms and public waiting areas cannot be adequately sanitized. The situation also poses a critical threat to kitchen hygiene and food preparation.
Despite visiting the hospital, I have not managed to establish the underlying cause of the water shortage, as staff at the hospital refused to speak to me. Direct calls made from the hospital to MEC Lekwene, as well as the Acting Health Head of Department, Mxolisi Mlatha, and the Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, also remain unanswered.
The DA condemns the pitiful response to the water crisis at Hester Malan Hospital by operational management and political leadership. By ignoring this serious failure, they are also neglecting to stand up for the sick people of this province.
I will make my dissatisfaction known to the HOD, MEC and Premier, in writing. I will also raise my misgivings about the health department’s commitment towards quality health care at next week’s budget meeting, insisting on an explanation and a definite turn-around time for the restoration of water to the facility.
The HOD, MEC and Premier can snub us but they will not silence us in our fight for better health care.