GAUTENG: Sufferers at Pholosong Regional Hospital in Tsakane, Gauteng, have been with out sizzling water for practically three months, leaving sufferers unable to wash.
In December 2025, the ability’s boiler broke down. Though repairs had been reportedly accomplished in early January, sizzling water has nonetheless not been restored.
When Heath-e Information visited the ability, guests had been seen bringing in kettles to warmth water for his or her family members. These with out household help are sometimes left unable to wash in any respect.
One affected person, who was admitted in September 2025, says the issue has endured since January 2026. “I haven’t taken a correct tub as a result of I can’t bathe with chilly water. Many of the guys right here additionally don’t take a shower,” he says.
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The physique odour in his ward was troublesome to disregard.
Nokuzola Magona, whose brother was lately admitted, says she’s apprehensive in regards to the danger. “I’m terrified of infections as a result of from the stench within the ward, it’s evident that a lot of the sufferers don’t bathe. You can’t count on somebody who’s sick to wash with chilly water.”
Blame shifting
The Gauteng Division of Well being says the new water drawback is now not associated to the boiler.
Division spokesperson, Nokuthula Hlophe, tells Well being-e Information the boiler broke down on 29 December 2025 and repairs had been accomplished by 8 January 2026. Nevertheless, she says the hospital can not produce sizzling water as a result of the municipal water provide doesn’t have sufficient stress to function the system.
“The unavailability of sizzling water shouldn’t be on account of boiler infrastructure failure. As an alternative, it’s Ekhurhuleni municipality that has failed to make sure water provide, with stress and quantity required to function the system”, she says.
Hospital workers and sufferers say the water provide is inconsistent, and that the ability typically goes with out water solely.
The Ekurhuleni municipality has not responded to questions despatched by Well being-e Information.
An infection management
Pholosong is a 300-bed hospital that serves practically a million folks from Tsakane, Kwa-Thema and Duduza.
In healthcare settings, heat water is a pillar of An infection Prevention and Management (IPC). Sufferers recovering from surgical procedure, power sicknesses, or these with weakened immune programs are notably weak to problems when primary hygiene is compromised.
Midwife Lindi Davis, who doesn’t work on the hospital, explains to Well being-e Information that sizzling water shouldn’t be a luxurious, however a elementary requirement for secure and dignified healthcare supply.
“Hygiene is the inspiration of what we do,” she says. “How do you count on a affected person to wash with chilly water? How are we speculated to correctly clear and costume wounds? You can’t adequately disinfect your arms with chilly water.”- Well being-e Information
