Gauteng health dismisses 'false social media claims of hospital flooding'

The Gauteng Department of Health has dismissed reports that the outpatient pharmacy at the George Mukhari Academic Hospital has been flooded. This comes after a video was circulated on social media, claiming that this section of the hospital was flooded on Sunday.

The department has since dismissed these reports as false and misleading and urged the public to remain cautious of unverified videos on social media.

"A video circulating online claims to show flooding at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital’s outpatient pharmacy waiting area today, 16 November. This is false and misleading. The video is old, and the issue shown was resolved long ago by hospital management. The outpatient pharmacy is closed on Sundays and was not in use today," the department said.

"The department urges the public to stop spreading outdated content and misinformation. Reposting old videos with false claims creates unnecessary panic and undermines public trust. Let us be responsible online. Verify before you share," it said.

Meanwhile, the hospital also dismissed the reports.

“The floor is very dry, there are no leaks, and this area is not used on weekends because it is a pharmacy waiting area....This was a challenge a long time ago, and hospital management has taken care of it. It was sealed. People are using the waiting area and are no longer experiencing major leaks," the hospital said in its own video message.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za