The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has sounded the alarm over a troubling spike in hospital-acquired infections across the province’s public hospitals. The figures reveal that over 7,700 patients contracted infections during their hospital stays last year, with many of these being antibiotic-resistant and potentially life-threatening.
According to Jack Bloom, the DA’s Health Shadow MEC, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital is the most alarming example, reporting an infection rate of 11%. This statistic indicates that roughly one in ten patients is acquiring infections unrelated to their original admissions, highlighting severe systemic issues within the healthcare environment.
“This unsettling information came to light through a written response released in the Gauteng Legislature,” Bloom stated. He emphasised that the root causes of this problem are clear, pointing to “severe staff shortages, malfunctioning equipment, and a critical lack of cleaning personnel.” He added that the inadequacy of basic sanitary materials, such as soap and clean linen, exacerbates the infection risks. “The department itself admits to the dire state of cleanliness, with insufficient linen resulting in the repeated use of sheets, raising significant concerns about the spread of infections,” Bloom remarked.
In response to these alarming statistics, the Gauteng Health Department has asserted that it is taking measures to combat hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections. These types of infections can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening complications for patients who are already receiving treatment for other conditions.
During a recent sitting of the Provincial Legislature, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko addressed the pressing issue and outlined the department’s strategies to manage these infections. Departmental spokesperson Motalatale Modiba declared, “To reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections, we have established a dedicated Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPC). This committee oversees the implementation of essential IPC guidelines across healthcare facilities.”
Furthermore, the department is poised to allocate R67 billion in its budget for the 2025/26 financial year, focusing on strengthening healthcare services, enhancing infrastructure, and addressing priority health needs, including the fight against infections. Among its key priorities are improvements in health infrastructure delivery, mother and child services, outreach programmes for HIV and TB, as well as the expansion of mental health services.