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Patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital have suffered from the cold this past winter as there has been no central heating the entire year.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Mokgethi: “The infrastructure has old heating system, which is above 43 years. Additional to this, theft of copper pipes that connects to the reheat boxes affects the temperature.”

Although blankets are available, patients have suffered in cold wards.

It has even affected surgery as three planned operations for newborn babies were deferred for two days due to very cold temperatures, and the operations only proceeded after oil heaters were provided.

The lack of heating is another example of poor maintenance at this major hospital which affects thousands of patients.

Theft of copper despite R40 million a year spent on security is also concerning.

Sick people should be in a comfortable temperature rather than shiver under blankets.

Mokgethi says “a business case is being compiled to replace the old heating
system with the latest technology available in the market.”

This is far too slow for something that should have been fixed long ago.

The DA is pushing for hospital CEOs to have more control over maintenance and infrastructure which would assist in speedy repairs and upgrades.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health