Mother exposes shocking conditions at Tygerberg Hospital maternity ward

Tygerberg Hospital confirmed that the labour ward has experienced exceptional pressure in recent weeks, with the increased patient load placing additional strain on infrastructure and support services, including cleaning services.

This comes after new mother Leechae Abrahams expressed her concerns about patient care and cleanliness after a recent stay in the maternity ward.

She explained that her experiences both during her pregnancy and leading up to the birth were unpleasant and frightening, and feared that either she or her baby could become ill or worse due to the conditions in the ward.

Abrahams had been attending Tygerberg Hospital throughout her pregnancy, starting in June 2025, and gave birth in November 2025.

Abrahams said she was scheduled for a Caesarean section on the 12th, but ended up waiting in pain for an entire day.

"I was number five on the list for the morning. There were many of us waiting in the room for C-sections, and some had already been waiting for several days. Everything took very long. Eventually, we were told our procedures had to be moved to the next day because there wasn’t enough time and not enough staff."

She said panic set in as she was forced to wait until the early hours of the following morning before being taken into theatre.

According to Abrahams, there was a severe lack of assistance, with very few nurses and doctors available to attend to patients. She also described the hospital environment as unhygienic and neglected.

"There was no assistance or help for hours, very few nurses and doctors available to patients, and no concern for the filth in the hospital," she said.

"I didn’t even want to use the toilet most of the time because of how bad it smelled and how dirty it was. Blood on the floor was not cleaned for three whole days," she said.

What shocked her most, she added, was witnessing other patients in severe pain who were unable to get help due to staff shortages.

She returned to the hospital recently for an overnight stay with her baby and said the conditions she encountered were no different from what she had experienced during her pregnancy.

Tygerberg Hospital Communications Officer Laticia Pienaar acknowledged that cleaning demands may exceed capacity during exceptionally busy periods.

However, she stated that the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW) had not received any formal complaints regarding cleanliness or meal standards in the Tygerberg Hospital maternity ward prior to Abrahams’ social media post.

Pienaar explained that the labour ward had experienced exceptional pressure in recent weeks, operating at full capacity after assisting neighbouring hospitals.

"This increased patient load placed additional strain on infrastructure and support services, including cleaning services," she said.

She also addressed concerns about a shower facility shown in images shared online, explaining that it had been cordoned off after a showerhead was stolen.

"Patients continued to have access to alternative shower facilities within the ward. Replacement equipment has been ordered and will be installed as soon as it is delivered," Pienaar said.

Pienaar added that the hospital recognises that childbirth is both physically and emotionally demanding and encouraged patients and their families to raise concerns directly with ward management or healthcare staff.

"This allows staff to respond immediately and provide support while the patient is still in our care." 

She assured that the WCDHW acknowledges the concerns raised, and "understands the distress such images may cause, and continues to monitor the situation closely while supporting staff working under significant pressure".

Cape Times