The ripple effect of loadshedding has resulted in a water crisis “water shedding”, in public hospitals. Two major Johannesburg hospitals, Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, have been without a stable water supply for more than a week. Between them they have about 800 inpatients, more than 120 of them children.

Today, Wednesday 5 October 2022, News24 reported that Two of Johannesburg’s big public hospitals, Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child, have had to ask doctors to bring in water so that they can at least flush the toilets to prevent the spread of infections.

A Senior Doctor at Rahima Moosa Hospital is reported by the Daily Maverick as having sent a message to his staff, “requesting that every staff member bring in water in bottles (any quantity) to help with the toilets and washing hands, etc. Thank you.”

This is absolutely unacceptable and as South African Citizens we will not stand for it. Water shedding brings disease and indignity! It is a Human Rights Violation!

Just a week ago we had to petition for hospitals to be exempt from loadshedding, now we have to petition again for water, a basic human right, to be provided to hospitals? We demand action now!!

Sign this petition to the newly appointed Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng Department of Health, and Gauteng Department of Public Enterprises and Johannesburg Water to address this as a matter of urgency!