Durban - The three weeks of misery and frustration caused by working without running water has come to an end for the medical staff at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in uMlazi, south of Durban which was affected by floods.
The hospital and surrounding communities were hard hit when the damage occurred on the uMlazi Canal Pipeline, which affected water supply in many parts of the southern region during the devastating floods three weeks ago.
The medical staff spoke of how frustrating the situation had been, including conducting surgical operations and labour without running water.
The Department had put measures in place to mitigate the impact of water shortages, including:
– A three-hourly water rationing to allow for the flushing of toilets and to enable effective water management throughout.
– Installation of 30 JoJo tanks (5000 litres capacity each), which have been placed in all strategic areas, including the kitchen, wards, clinical areas and Out-Patients Department (OPD).
– Thirty portable toilets have been provided in the courtyards near the wards, OPD and all other strategic areas.
– Bottled portable water is distributed in 250 x 5l containers per day to staff and patients.
On Tuesday, Msawakhe Mayisela, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, confirmed repairs to water infrastructure had been completed.
"The City has completed the repairs to the pipes feeding the hospital that were damaged during the recent floods. Areas near the hospital have reportedly begun receiving water. We anticipate that the hospital should start receiving water by the end of the day,“ Mayisela added.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE