How does a hospital funciton without water?

How does a hospital operate without water? I frankly do not have any answer to that question but you will be shocked to know that some hospitals in Cameroon face that problem. One hospital in actually functioned without water for about a week!

The excuse given by the sole water distribution company in the country was that their machines broke down. I went visiting the hospital and seriously, it was a mess. Hospitalised patients were forced to urinate and defecate around the ward premises and I am sure you can imagine the smell. Some toilets had been used before the user knew there was no water supply.

The cleaners were frustrated with all the dirt and the patients were forced to ask their relatives and caregivers to carry water from home in jelly cans and bottles for their daily use.

This hospital in question has a reservoir with the capacity to provide water for up to four weeks in case of water shortages but has never been used to its full capacity because of several technical reasons.

A hospital is supposed to be place that smells of strong disinfectants and detergents, not feces and unrine!