Serious water shortage at Mbabane Govt Hospital

MBABANE - For three days now, the Mbabane Govern-ment Hospital has been hit by a serious shortage of water.

The cause of the shortage is a leaking reservoir that directly supplies the hospital and has affected many departments within the institution, including the Pediatric, Theatre, Radiology, Laundry, Refectory and Out Patient Units. Other departments like the Maternity and Dental have a very limited supply.

Hospital Administrator, Gcebile Dlamini, acknowledged the shortage stating that it was unexpected and might last for more than a week according to the Swaziland Water Services Corpora-tion (SWSC).

"We have experienced a water shortage since Monday and may possibly take a few more days.

"We are working on rectifying the problem with officials from SWSC who are on site as we speak," said Dlamini.

The reservoir is situated a few hundred metres away from the hospital and is strategically constructed at a higher site than the hospital.

The purpose is to provide enough water pressure needed in some of the hospital units like darkrooms for processing X-rays, laundry and the sterilising of operating equipment.

The hospital is currently receiving its water from the shared city supply which is not enough to supply the entire institution as well as provide enough to pressure some of their machinery.

Patients in need of X-rays have, since the beginning of the week, been turned back due to the shortage.

Patients travelling from afar have either been told to return next week or opt for private institutions within Mbabane, some of which charge more than the government hospital.

Public toilets within the institution have also been hit hard including Ward 7 which houses critical air-borne diseases patients suffering from tuberculosis.

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