Water crisis disrupts operations at Bedford Orthopaedic Hospital in Mthatha

Water crisis has been reported at Bedford hospital in Umthatha in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Bedford is the only orthopeding hospital in the former Transkei area. According to reports the crisis has hampered the rendering of services to the patients. The hospital can only operate 2 patients instead of 20 patients booked for a day. It is also said that operations were cancelled on Monday and Tuesday last week due to the same problem. The hospital could not sterelise theatre equipment. O.R. Tambo Ditrict Municipality, which is the water authority in the area confirmed water challenges in the area. Municipality Spokesperson, Ncebakazi Kolwane said the municipality is aware of water interruptions in the area tha include Bedford hospital. “ The O.R.Tambo District Municipality is aware of the water supply interruption affecting Bedford hospital and surrounding areas in Mthatha West. The interruption follow low water levels at the Signal Hill Reservoir, largely resulting from several major pipeline bursts experienced over the past week.”
Water supply has since been re opened, but the system requires approximately two days to recover and for water to reach Bedford hospital and other affected areas. In the interim the municipality is prioritising alternative water provisions to critical facilities particularly Bedford hospital”, said Kolwane. Department of Health has not responded to a media quiry about reported interruption of services till we publish the story

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