LISTEN: Klebsiella outbreak at Vosloorus hospital linked to overcrowding
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Gauteng says the Klebsiella outbreak at the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus is linked to overcrowding and lack of hygienic.
Six babies died as a result of the outbreak.
The commission conducted a site inspection at the hospital on Wednesday.
“We interviewed hospital staff, patients and organised labour at the hospital who all agreed that overcrowding is a major problem at the hospital, the issue was raised with management and nothing has been done. They also stated that the outbreak is attributable to the poor hygienic conditions at the hospital,” said Buang Jones, the SAHRC’s Gauteng manager.
Jones says they are concerned that staff has to work in dire conditions.
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He says the hospital has deep-rooted management challenges.
“As we speak the CEO has been placed on special leave, we could not meet with the acting CEO because he is also acting in another hospital and was receiving a delegation from the National Council of Provinces,” said Jones.
He says while the health department announced it would be moving all the babies to other hospitals, the commission found 52 babies still at the facility.
“The commission will address a formal letter to the department of health requesting a report on the measures they intend to take to ease hospital overcrowding. We want a specific and a clear time-bound action plan to turn around this hospital in 2 months,” said Jones.