No end in sight for water crisis at Elim Hospital in Limpopo
The Health Department in Limpopo says water supply issues continue to plague Elim Hospital outside Louis Trichardt.
It says the boreholes, which the department drilled to address the water crisis at the facility, have now also dried up.
The health facility has been experiencing water shortages since last year when some families took to social media to complain about the dire situation at the hospital.
A spokesperson for the department, Neil Shikwambana, said on Monday that the groundwater at the facility is also depleted.
“Communities have also illegally connected themselves to the pipelines leading to the hospital from the boreholes outside the hospital, rendering them completely ineffective to the hospital just as is the case with the bulk water main line from the dam," he said.
The water crisis in Vhembe District Municipality has seen Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu deploy a team in an effort to find a permanent solution.
Shikwambana said the municipality is supplying the hospital with eight to 10 water tankers daily.
"The department is quick to acknowledge that the current situation of sending water tankers to the hospital is far from perfect. However, it remains the only possible temporary solution to keep the hospital operational.
"Hence the understanding and support of all stakeholders will be greatly appreciated as all parties involved actively work on a long-term solution to ensure sustainable water access for Elim Hospital," he added.
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