By: Natasha Archary
All non-urgent operations have been paused at Steve Biko Academic Hospital due to faulty air-conditioners in the theatres.
The latest disruption puts a further strain on the public health system amid the water crisis which other facilities in Gauteng are battling.
A Stage 2 water restriction in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane has impacted two major public hospitals.
Both Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa Hospitals have struggled to keep up with the high volume of patients due to low water pressure.
The DA Gauteng’s Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom heavily criticised the Department of Infrastructure and Development (DID) for failing to upkeep the hospital.
“It is yet another maintenance failure by the Department of Infrastructure Development, which keeps appointing incompetent contractors who can’t do the job.
In this case, the first contractor couldn’t fit the chillers, and a new contractor had to be appointed yesterday. The hospital hopes that the chillers can be fixed by Friday, 07 October.”
There are reportedly more than 1 000 patients who are awaiting surgical operations at the hospital but the hospital cannot proceed with any of these until the aircons are fixed.
In order to prevent infection the theatres need to be kept at a really cold level, and currently only two chillers are operational.
However, this isn’t enough to cool down the operating theatres and as a result all non-urgent operations have been put on hold until further notice.
Also read: Lindiwe Sisulu still encouraging visits to SA despite murder of German tourist in country



