INHUMANE AND UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS ENGULF HEALTH UNIVERSITY, AS!
Students Decry Living Conditions Crisis at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Residences
Students at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) are raising alarm over deteriorating living conditions at their Ga-Rankuwa campus residences, citing prolonged water shortages and a lack of proper cleaning services as a serious threat to their health, dignity and academic performance.
Several students, speaking anonymously out of fear of victimisation, described a daily struggle to access basic necessities such as running water.
They allege that some residence blocks have gone for days without water, forcing them to rely on alternative means such as buying bottled water or sourcing it from nearby areas.
This, they say, has made it difficult to maintain personal hygiene, cook, or even use ablution facilities.
“It’s not just an inconvenience anymore – it’s a crisis,” said one student.
“We are expected to focus on our studies, but we can’t even take a shower or flush toilets consistently. The conditions are unbearable.”
The water crisis has been compounded by what students describe as a failure by the university to ensure regular cleaning of residences.
Bathrooms and communal spaces are reportedly left unattended for extended periods, leading to unhygienic conditions and foul odours.
Students fear this could lead to potential health risks, including the spread of infections.
Another student added: “The dirt is piling up. Toilets are not cleaned regularly, and without water, the situation becomes even worse. It’s not a safe environment to live in.
”The unrest over living conditions has sparked frustration among the student body, with some calling for urgent intervention from university management.”
There are also growing calls for student leadership structures to take a firmer stance and escalate the matter if swift action is not taken.
Student representatives are believed to have engaged university management on multiple occasions, demanding immediate restoration of water supply and improved maintenance services.
However, students claim that responses have been slow and lack clear timelines for resolution.
The situation at SMU reflects broader challenges facing higher education institutions across the country, where infrastructure issues and resource constraints continue to impact student welfare.
Efforts to obtain comment from university management were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
However, students remain hopeful that increased attention to the issue will compel authorities to act decisively.
For now, many at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University say they are left with no choice but to endure conditions they describe as “inhumane” – all while trying to pursue their academic goals under increasingly difficult circumstances