As the winter season takes hold in Gauteng, concerns have been raised by patients at various public hospitals regarding freezing wards and a lack of hot water. The Gauteng Department of Health attributes these issues to the ageing infrastructure within its health facilities.
Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has assured the public that contractors are on standby to address any emergencies that may arise. She acknowledges that many hospitals have been experiencing difficulties with their boiler systems, resulting in inconsistent hot water supply. The root cause of these problems is the outdated and poorly serviced critical equipment such as boilers, chillers, heat pumps, and air conditioners.
DA Gauteng Health spokesperson Jack Bloom has reported complaints from ten hospitals about the cold conditions. These include well-known hospitals like Bertha Gxowa Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, and Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Some hospital management has expressed that there is no budget available for repairing the heating systems, leaving patients in cold wards without proper heating.
In response to the situation, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko has provided updates on the progress of repairs at the affected facilities. She reveals that hot water compressors have been repaired at Bertha Gxowa Hospital, leaking steam pipes have been replaced at Pretoria West Hospital and Sterkfontein Hospital, and boiler system repairs have been completed at Edenvale Hospital. Contractors are actively working on addressing similar issues at other hospitals as well.
The increased strain on hospital infrastructure during the winter months contributes to more frequent equipment failures. However, the department has allocated R100 million to recapitalize critical equipment across Gauteng’s healthcare facilities. This recapitalization program aims to reduce breakdowns by gradually replacing ageing equipment.
Overall, the Gauteng Department of Health is working diligently to address the challenges posed by the ageing infrastructure in its hospitals. With contractors on standby and a commitment to improving critical equipment, patients can hopefully look forward to warmer and more comfortable hospital environments in the near future.
