Dumbing site a health hazard to the patients and community
The North West Department of Health MEC, Mr Madoda Sambatha is calling the municipality and all the affected stakeholders to urgently relocate the dumbing site that is in front of the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital. The MEC said this after visiting the Provincial Hospital and witnessed for himself how litter spills from the dumbing site and spread into the nearby homes and the hospital. He was also received by patients who complained about flies and dumb smell in the hospital vicinity and surroundings. Some of the patients complained about the nearness of the dumbing site to the hospital.
In recent times, the North West Department of Health has also received a number of queries from community members in Majemantsho, Danville and Lomanyeng who complain about the Dumbing site and requested its relocation.
“It does not make sense that we have a dumbing site in front of the hospital. How can we claim cleanliness and encourage it, while in front of a health facility we have a dumbing site? I come to the hospital and the first thing I encounter is the litter that comes out of this dumbing site. Patients are complaining and as a caring Department, we must respond positively to their legitimate demand to relocate this dumbing site.
“We want health facilities that present the image of a healthy environment. A dumbing site in front of the hospital negates that objective and it must be removed,” said MEC Sambatha.
The Department the recent effort to fence the dumbing site but notice that the fence is still not enough to contain the litter. Apart from the litter, the dumb smell remains a serious issue in terms of environmental health practices.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
