The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng says operations are being delayed at the Sebokeng Hospital in the Vaal due to water pressure challenges. It says this emanates from an agreement reached between Rand Water and the Emfuleni Local Municipality, to reduce the amount of water it supplies to the municipality.
Emfuleni still owes Rand Water millions in outstanding debt for bulk water supply.
Gauteng DA Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom says the water challenges are affecting the efficiency of cooling units at the hospital’s theatres.
Sebokeng Hospital Chief Executive Officer Zolela Ngcwabe admits they are experiencing challenges, but it is nothing they cannot manage.
“We have a challenge of our cooler system due to chillers that are not getting enough pressure but as the hospital, in terms of clinical work, we do have alternative work. We work with Kopanong Hospital as a complex where our operations, especially long operations are being performed at Kopanong Hospital. So, the backlog that we have is the backlog we have due to high pressure of the Christmas season, we are working on it.”
