UPDATE: Improvements made at Helen Joseph Hospital

SABC News revealed after an investigation on 9 December the horrific living conditions of nurses living at Helen Joseph Hospital.

Viewers were shocked to discover the severity of the deteriorating conditions of the building such as cracked windows, blocked sewage systems that flooded the corridors of the residence and an unattended dumping site at the entrance of the nurses quarters.

Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona said at the time the hospital was aware of the nurses’ living conditions and were planning to address it.

Mabona also added that appointing plumbers to attend to the blocked sewage system was at the top of the list. He listed overcrowding at the nurses’ quarters due to people living there illegally.

Currently the Department of Health has made the means to respond to the complaints and concerns raised by members of the community, political parties and the extensive media coverage received after the SABC News exposé.

“To address conditions at the Helen Joseph, engineers appointed by the Department have completed the scoping process and as such refurbishments will commence in 2016. Furthermore, as of last week plumbers fixed blocked toilets,” said Mabona.

Related articles:

Horrific living conditions of nurse quarters