By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has outlined plans for a new Accident and Emergency unit at Tembisa Hospital following a fire on Saturday.
The blaze that erupted in the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, prompted the safe evacuation of at least 85 individuals, 79 patients and six staff to nearby healthcare facilities.
Nkomo-Ralehoko together with the City of Ekurhuleni Mayor, Councillor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, MMC for Community Safety, Sizakele Masuku, and the Head of Department, Lesiba Malotana,visited the hospital on Sunday to assess the extent of the damage to the Accident and Emergency Unit.
The MEC said a dedicated team is assessing walk-in patients and deciding whether to admit them or refer them to other facilities.
Nkomo-Ralehoko also added that while the accident and emergency unit remain closed until further notice, all other services at the hospital continue as normal.
Some of the contingency measures in place include the diversion of ambulance services, only walk-in emergencies will be attended to. Services for acutely ill patients, mother and children services, mental health and other chronic diseases will also be offered to patients who need them.
Before the fire, the unit had recently been renovated and the fire fighting equipment, including the fire detection systems, complied with occupational health and safety standards.
She said the firefighting equipment records at the hospital showed that it is valid and compliant until 2026.
Teams from the South African Police Services, the Department of Employment and Labour, City of Ekurhuleni Fire Department and the provincial health department will be investigating the cause of the fire.
The MEC will also be a part of the team that will be monitoring operations at Tembisa Hospital throughout the week.
No time frame has been given for when the forensic report will be available.
In the meantime, concerned members of the public have been advised to call 011 923 2000 for any enquiries.
Meanwhile Cosatu provincial secretary, Louisah Modikwe, said four years before this incident, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital had a similar incident, which put the lives of both patients and staff at risk.
She added that the incident at Charlott Maxeke disrupted services and became a financial burden to taxpayers in the province.
Modikwe called on the Department of Health and the Department of Employment of Labour to conduct an assessment of the current state of all health institutions in the province to determine the extent of the occupational health and safety challenges, including the ageing infrastructure.
“Hospitals are meant to provide medical care for the sick and injured, and they must be safe spaces, but the recurring fires at health facilities remain a source of concern for the workers and the citizens of Gauteng,” said Modikwe.