27 Oct 2016

Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital in Maun is experiencing another water contamination.

When briefing the media, the hospital superintendent Dr Maxwell Mungisi said the management was working round the clock to restore water provision to normalcy after tests revealed bacterial contamination in all sites including the holding tank.

Meanwhile, he said the hospital ensured patients refrained from using the water for drinking therefore water was bought for hospitalised patients.

Dr Mungisi said the bacteriological contamination, if consumed, could result in diarrhea outbreak amongst other infections.

The cause for the contamination, he said, was yet to be established since the past contamination, which was established in August was treated and the water passed the tests thereafter.

Dr Mungisi said the hospital had not registered any case in relation to the contamination; the tests were done on October 18 and contamination was revealed on October 25.

He said Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) was tasked to carry out preliminary investigations.

He pointed out that the first contamination of Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital water which was reported in November 2015 was likened to the possibility that the holding tank had not been cleaned in a long period.

However, he said the current situation was worrisome since only a month passed since the tanks were cleaned.

Dr Mungisi therefore said experts would be engaged to establish the effectiveness of the whole water system and other possibilities.

He noted that the hospital carried out water quality tests frequently in major villages to determine its safety for use since the hospital was a sensitive place which saved lives.

Dr Mungisi said they hoped the holding tanks water treatment would be flushed and complete by this weekend for safe use.

The district commissioner, Ms Chabongwa Matseka said the local authority would ensure that the hospital together with WUC restore water for safe use.

Ms Matseka noted that issue was worrisome since it was not a first occurrence. Although she was not in a position to state whether other institutions in Maun carried out regular tests for water safety, Ms Matseka said the Water Affairs Department had a lab where regular tests were done. ENDS