BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MBABANE – The Ministry of Health is aware of the water shortage at Mkhuzweni clinic and is working around the clock to solve the issue.
This follows reports that the working staff at the health centre downed their tools in protest of the water crisis that has seen some of the installed boreholes at the clinic not working.
Speaking to journalists this morning, Communications Officer to the ministry, Nsindiso Tsabedze said they were aware of the water shortage but was quick to mention that as far as they know it was not as bad as it was made out to be.
“The ministry is committed to addressing all matters that are affecting the health sector and we always act swiftly in resolving those issues. We are aware of the situation at Mkhuzweni clinic and we have asked the responsible people tasked with fixing this issue to give us a report.
We have visited the clinic and noted that some parts of the health centre does have water and we have engaged with the company responsible for fixing the boreholes to give a report on what is really happening with the boreholes so that we know what to do next, in the meantime, we have provided water tanks to the departments that are without water, we have also introduced water rationing as the water is also used in the houses occupied by the staff,” Tsabedze explained.
Tsabedze pledged with the working staff and patients not to panic as the ministry was committed in making sure that the clinic’s water tanks do not run dry while adding that the faulty boreholes were already being fixed by the contracted company.
While speaking on behalf of the staff, Swaziland Nurses Association General Secretary Mayibongwe Masangane said the clinic was now a health hazard for both the nurses and patients as the water crisis would contribute to the spreading of diseases within the facility.
“Patients are having a tough time drinking their medication because there is no water. The staff working there is also now exposed to viruses because they need to wash their hands after attending to clients and without water, they are unable to do so. The nurses have decided to down their tools until this matter has been sorted,” Masangane said while responding to journalists.
Masangane pleaded with the Ministry of Health to act quick as the water crisis was severe. He urged the ministry to pay a visit to the clinic to see it for itself. The health centre declared an emergency on Tuesday after it was hit hard by the water shortage which has limited tap water production.
Moreover, he further asked the ministry to renovate the facility as the walls were now worn out.
The medical facility is said to be relying on help from the maternity ward tap water to ease the shortage.
