Kuruman Hospital in crisis: DA reports neglect to SAHRC

THE DEMOCRATIC Alliance (DA) has taken urgent steps to report the deplorable state of Kuruman Hospital to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), following a distressing oversight inspection earlier this week. The inspection came in response to a viral social media video that sparked public outrage and highlighted grave concerns over the hospital's conditions and service delivery.

During the visit, DA representatives were confronted with harrowing scenes that point to systemic neglect. Patients reportedly sat for days on cold floors with only blankets for comfort, some left unattended with IV drips that had not been refilled in over 48 hours. Overcrowded wards and stretchers lined up in corridors illustrated a facility stretched beyond capacity.

One of the most concerning revelations came from a nurse who wore a mask due to the large number of tuberculosis (TB) patients packed into the facility, yet no masks were offered to the patients themselves, placing both staff and patients at risk.

In the maternity ward, a baby was found crying alone on a high, open machine, completely unattended, raising serious questions about infant safety. In addition, the hospital’s medical supply room was left unlocked and unattended, opening the door to potential theft and misuse of medication.

Further inspection revealed garbage strewn throughout the premises, including used burn dressings and empty boxes. The outside courtyards were overgrown and appeared to be used as dumping grounds, creating a general atmosphere of neglect and decay.

“This is a clear violation of the constitutional right to access to healthcare and a safe working environment,” said DA Northern Cape Health spokesperson Isak Fritz, who also flagged similar issues during an oversight visit to the hospital last year. “It is shameful that despite promises made by the hospital CEO and the district manager, no meaningful changes have been made.”

The DA accuses the Northern Cape Department of Health and even the Premier of misrepresenting the reality of healthcare services in the province. “Ongoing attempts to portray the state of healthcare as satisfactory are blatant lies. We have taken this matter to the SAHRC with the hope that their intervention will finally push the department into urgent action,” Fritz said.

A formal complaint has been submitted to the SAHRC, with photographic and video evidence attached. The DA hopes this will prompt accountability and force the provincial government to act on longstanding issues.

Department responds

In response to the allegations and growing public concern, the Northern Cape Department of Health has acknowledged the challenges facing Kuruman Hospital and outlined plans to address them.

“In relation to the Kuruman Casualty, plans are afoot to upgrade the Kuruman Hospital Accident and Emergencies in this new financial year,” said Lebogang Majaha, Departmental Spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Health.

“It must be noted that the population has been growing, especially through urbanisation, and the facility is now inadequate in addressing the needs of our people. In the immediate, the department will put up modular structures to extend the number of wards and the casualty area, including the waiting area for patients.”

Majaha added that the Department has prioritised “staffing, medical equipment, maintenance and cleanliness of public health facilities” and that these are “continuously receiving attention”.

“On maintenance and cleanliness of facilities, the Department remains committed to ensuring that all public health facilities in the province are compliant with occupational health and safety laws, environmental norms and standards, and that they meet the needs of health care users and personnel towards the delivery of health care services,” he concluded.