Beitbridge’s district hospital was forced to discharge maternity patients without a bath after the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) cut off the town water supply over debt. It is understood that ZINWA wants a pre-payment of $3 million before restoring supplies in the town of close to 50 000 people owing $12 million.
A senior health technician Caroline Siphuma who spoke to NewsDay, said the 120-bed hospital has suspended most delicate operations and reserved its admissions for emergencies only. She confirmed that they were discharging mothers and their new-born without a bath and said that they are sitting on a health time bomb.
Town secretary Loud Ramakgapola appealed to households to pay at least $20 monthly for outstanding water bills. He said the council needs $170 000 for use and with 9 000 households they can reach that target. Council finance director Anymore Mbedzi said the commercial sector of Beitbridge, the low-density suburbs and government departments were not paying water bills.
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