Residents in Khayelistha say they are being “treated like animals” at their crowded local hospital.
Last week, pictures of patients sleeping on the floor and a bloodied patient lying unattended in the foyer on a bed at Khayelitsha Hospital in Mandela Park were doing the rounds on social media.
A resident, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation, says this has become the norm in the area.
“I have read the stories in the Daily Voice newspaper about Groote Schuur Hospital, but never could people imagine just how bad it is here in Khayelistha.
“Whenever we come to the Emergency Unit, we are treated like animals. Told to wait our turn or just brushed aside like we’re not humans,” the resident says.
Another resident, Xolile Smanga, 25, says she accompanied her friend who has been suffering from severe chest pains last month and she was shocked at the treatment by staff at the hospital.
“I was shocked to see how many people were sleeping on the floor, injured and in pain. Like sardines, waiting for assistance.
“My friend was struggling to breathe and when I confronted a nurse, she said, ‘hayibo, stop going on and acting, wait’.”
“People like this do not deserve to be in the healthcare profession. Must someone first die?
“Must it first be in the newspapers before people take note?” Xolile asks.
A communications officer for Khayelitsha at the Western Cape Government’s Health department, Sithembiso Magubane, says the hospital’s services are under pressure because of the high volume of patients it receives.
‘UNDER PRESSURE’: Khayelisha Hospital in Mandela Park. Photo: Ntuthuzelo Nene
“Khayelitsha Hospital is a 300-bed large metro hospital providing both district and regional hospital care to residents in Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and beyond,” he says.
“Its service components are under pressure due to the large volume of clients accessing the facility on a daily basis.”
He says patients are triaged according to their medical emergency and this could result in long waiting periods for patients with less urgent injuries.
“We encourage patients to make use of Community Health Workers and Primary Healthcare clinics in the area to ensure emergency centres are used for the right cases.
“The hospital provides recliner chairs and trolley beds are made available for all patients who spend the night at the hospital’s emergency centre.
“Patients are asked to remain seated on the chairs and trolleys provided.”
“Western Cape Government Health would like to emphasise that all patients are important to us and we aim to attend to their medical needs as best as possible.”