KATIMA MULILO – A severe water disruption at Katima Mulilo has left healthcare workers and patients at Katima Mulilo State Hospital deeply concerned about hygiene and healthcare conditions.

For some days, the hospital has struggled without a consistent water supply, forcing nurses and doctors to rely solely on sanitisers and sterilizers to maintain hygiene. Medical staff, speaking anonymously, described the situation as unbearable and called for urgent solutions.

“We have to treat patients with various conditions, yet we can’t wash our hands. This is extremely unhygienic,” a nurse in the casualty ward lamented. “The hospital should have its own water source, such as a borehole or emergency water tanks, to avoid such crises,” complained another nurse.

A doctor echoed similar frustrations, explaining that the erratic water supply severely impacts both staff and patients. “Water at the hospital has been on and off since last week. Without a dedicated water source, we are left vulnerable whenever the town experiences disruptions. We need a long-term solution.”

When approached for comment, Zambezi health director Woito Kapumburu attributed the disruption to a major pipe burst affecting the entire town. He stated that the repair team was working to restore the supply, intermittently shutting off water to facilitate repairs.

However, when pressed on how the hospital continues to function during such frequent interruptions, Kapumburu confirmed that the hospital does not have its own water source nor any backup plans. He however said there is a team working tirelessly to restore water in the
town.

The Katima Mulilo Town Council acknowledged the disruption in a public notice issued on Wednesday. “A major pipe burst has disrupted water supply across the town. Our technical team is diligently working to repair the damage and restore supply as soon as possible,” the statement read. The council apologised for the inconvenience and urged residents to remain patient.

With water shortages becoming a recurring problem, healthcare workers are calling for sustainable solutions. Many believe the hospital should have its own dedicated water supply to prevent future disruptions from affecting patient care.

For now, doctors, nurses, and patients at Katima Mulilo State Hospital can only hope that authorities act swiftly to resolve the crisis—before the lack of water leads to an even greater health emergency.