Part of Gauteng Tembisa Hospital as seen in this DA Gauteng 2015 Picture.
- The Party alleges that corruption is to blame;
- Calls on the Health Department’s R46.4 billion budget to be spent effectively so that there are funds for urgent upgrades at unsafe hospitals
The information was revealed in a written reply to the DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC; Jack Bloom, in the Gauteng legislature.
The DA in Gauteng has raised its concern regarding the safety of patients and staff at Tembisa Hospital.
In a statement released by the Party’s Shadow Health MEC in Gauteng; Jack Bloom, the DA has put the blame for the hospital woes on the ‘long running mismanagement and corruption that dates back to the disastrous period when Brian Hlongwa was Health MEC.’
According to the Party, large areas of the hospital are unsafe, including the outpatients, obstetric and emergency wards, but there are no funds to fix them.
Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa, revealed in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, that the following areas in this hospital contravene the Occupational Health and Safety Act:
- Bulk store
- Accident and Emergency Unit
- Outpatients Department
- Family Medicine Clinic
- Obstetric ward (Mother and Child Unit)
- Various wards and temporary structures
- Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
- Public and staff parking facility
- Access points
- Management of all wet services inclusive of the dolomite risk management plan which is not yet implemented
A new Bulk Store, planned to cost around R124 million is currently on hold; including other upgrading projects which will occur when funding becomes available.
Meanwhile the EMS is currently functioning from makeshift containers, and other services are also taking place in non-complaiant temporary structures.
The party has called for determined measures to root out corruption and to ensure that the Department’s R46.4 billion budget is spent effectively so that there are funds for urgent upgrades at unsafe hospitals.