INLSA
As patients complain about swarms of mosquitoes, the abandoned swimming pool at Durbans King Edward VIII Hospital has become a stagnant pond colonised by reeds and grass. Picture: Lumka Nofemele
Mosquitoes, rats and cockroaches have become an everyday sight for patients and nurses at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban.
Several patients interviewed by The Mercury said they had had sleepless nights because of the mosquito and rat problem. Mothers said they had woken to see mosquito bites covering their babies’ faces and hands.
“The buzzing sound of mosquitoes keeps me awake. I normally cover myself with blankets to protect myself,” said one mother.
“My baby’s ears have red marks,” said another.
Last week, hospital workers showed The Mercury the most likely breeding ground for the mosquitoes – an old swimming pool, now overrun with grass and marshy, stagnant water.
Staff and patients also suspect that uncollected rubbish bags have been attracting rats.
The Mercury also saw evidence of boxes and bags of litter lying uncollected outside many of the wards. Staff said the bags included old bandages and other health-care waste.
Although he acknowledges the presence of mosquitoes at the hospital, KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo suggested there was no serious problem at the hospital and said he did not believe that mosquito nets were necessary.
“They (mosquitoes) are just causing a nuisance and they cannot cause malaria… they won’t infect anyone with disease,” said Dhlomo.
Yet the wall in the mothers’ lodge has been stained by the blood of mosquitoes. In the same building, rats’ droppings could be seen under beds.
Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA provincial secretary Cassim Lekhoathi rejected Dhlomo’s claims. He said his organisation was aware of the pest problem at the hospital.
“Mosquitoes can cause various diseases. If a mosquito bites someone with malaria it can transfer the disease to other people. Babies are also vulnerable because of their low immune system,” said Lekhoathi.
Chris Maxon, spokesman for the Department of Health, said although the department had not received any complaints from patients or staff, it would look into the matter.
“King Edward hospital has a contracted pest control company that deals with fumigation and the control of insects and pests,” said Maxon.
“The old swimming pool at the nurses’ home has been and is continuously being treated by the company. The nurses’ home and the entire area around it, which includes the swimming pool, will receive a complete renovation.”
Maxon admitted that there had been reports of rats around certain areas, but he said that the pest control company had been working with the hospital to resolve the matter.
