Student nurses up in arms over poor living conditions
One of the students who has had enough of the situation, questioned how the hospital management expected them to promote hygiene when it comes to patient care when they were expected 'to live like pigs?'
BROKEN windows, bird faeces scattered around rooms and blocked toilets are some of the conditions student nurses have to live in at Ngwelezana Hospital, but the KZN Department of Health says it is addressing the problem.
One of the students who has had enough of the situation, questioned how the hospital management expected them to promote hygiene when it comes to patient care when they were expected ‘to live like pigs?’
‘The grass outside the nurses’ building is overgrown and because of burst pipes sewage flows all over the premises.
‘Most of the washing basins and toilets have been blocked and have not been fixed for over a year,’ said the student.
‘Almost all the windows are broken and when students enter their flats, the place is covered with feathers and bird faeces.’
‘The cleaning company always offers excuses about a shortage of cleaning material or staff, but the flats do not get cleaned.’
The student said the unhygienic living conditions have extended to the hospital itself.
‘The kitchen is not a hygienic place in which to prepare food for patients as birds fly in and drop faeces and feathers there and the theatre is always dirty.’
KZN Health Department spokesperson, Noluthando Nkosi, said they plan to build new nurses’ quarters.
‘The department is busy with the finalisation of construction plans for the new facility. The current building is old and has infrastructural defects because the number of people residing in the residences has increased over time.
‘The department’s policy is not to commit funds to renovate buildings that will be demolished shortly.’
Nkosi could, however, not confirm a time frame for the completion of the new nurses’ quarters.
‘The district, together with head office, is now quantifying estimated costs to finalise the project.
Contrary to students’ complaints, Nkosi said the building had been maintained.
‘Maintenance of hospital grounds and buildings are under way. At Ngwelezana sewerage pipes are to be replaced.
‘The hospital has a service provider who is responsible for the general upkeep of its gardens and grounds.’
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