Patients admitted to Hewu Hospital in the Eastern Cape are facing dire conditions, with cold wards lacking heaters and dilapidated prefabricated walls. The hospital, located in Whittlesea about 35 km from Queenstown, serves nearly 298,000 people from 36 villages. The hospital’s board chairperson, Zukile Khondlo, highlighted the poor state of the hospital in a letter to Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane, stating that only 168 out of the 229 beds are usable. The hospital has not seen any major renovations since it opened in 1988.
Lwando Thembani, a former patient at the hospital, described his shocking experience during his stay. He mentioned that the ceilings are falling, heaters are not working, TVs are malfunctioning, and the fabricated walls have holes. In addition, when the power went out, there was no diesel for backup generators, forcing patients and staff to use their phones to navigate in the dark.
The hospital board is calling for intervention from the premier to address the vacant staff positions, rebuild the hospital, and resolve the water and electricity issues. Khondlo emphasized the discomfort of the old prefabricated buildings, which are extremely cold in winter, hot in summer, and leak during rain, making patients feel unsafe.
Furthermore, the hospital is grappling with a severe shortage of nursing staff, including the absence of a nursing service manager, midwives, and only one theatre-trained nurse. Despite reporting the staff shortages to the Chris Hani Health District management and Provincial Department of Health, no actions have been taken to address the issue.
The hospital’s challenges are compounded by its outstanding municipal debt, with the Chris Hani District Municipality cutting off the water supply multiple times due to unpaid bills. The hospital owes an amount of R1,618,284.82 as of April 30, 2025. Despite warning notices and attempts to recover the debt, the hospital failed to make the necessary payments, resulting in water disconnections.
The Department of Health has acknowledged the hospital’s shortcomings and initiated a ten-year infrastructure plan from 2024-2034 to address the maintenance and improvements needed at Hewu Hospital. While minor repairs are currently being carried out, the project is in its design phase, with plans to accelerate readiness for implementation in the coming years. The health department has also intervened to ensure the reconnection of the hospital’s water supply after disconnections by the municipality.
The situation at Hewu Hospital underscores the urgent need for comprehensive renovations and improved infrastructure to provide quality healthcare services to the community it serves. Health-e News is dedicated to providing the latest and most relevant information in the health and wellness industry. Our team of experts works tirelessly to bring you the most up-to-date news on a variety of health topics, from nutrition and fitness to mental health and medical breakthroughs.
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