Hospitals in the iLembe district have been dealing with a shortage of stoma bags since January, causing significant inconvenience for patients.
Some are receiving urostomy bags instead of the necessary colostomy bags, while others are forced to reuse their bags for over three days due to the scarcity.
When someone has a stoma, a small opening in the abdomen used for waste removal, they need a specific type of bag to collect waste such as faeces and urine.
This bag is called a colostomy, urostomy or ileostomy pouch.
People who undergo stoma surgery often face stigma and discrimination afterward.
However, the shortage of bags worsens their situation, making ostomates feel isolated.
The shortage is not limited to iLembe alone; it’s a problem across the entire province according to sources in KwaDukuza.
Patients are not receiving enough bags, leading some to search for supplies elsewhere, sometimes using fake addresses or relying on relatives near other hospitals.
Patients should receive at least 15 bags to last until their next appointment or collection date.
Additionally, patients must follow strict dietary restrictions to prevent complications. However, financial constraints prevent many from buying stoma bags, especially those from low to medium-income backgrounds.
During a recent visit to General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital in KwaDukuza, patients discussed the severity of the problem.
They said nurses hoped for adequate supplies by June but lamented the current situation, where even available bags may not match patients’ specific requirements.
One of the patients on Monday said she was running short of bags, yet there were none available at the hospital.
“Imagine someone telling you there’s no toilet and there’s nowhere to relieve yourself. It’s a heartbreaking situation because it is something we depend on. Without these bags, we are in trouble,” said the patient, who requested anonymity.
Health department spokesperson Agiza Hlongwane said as far as the department is aware there is no shortage of of stoma bags.
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