Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by David Masoeu MPL and Afrikaans soundbite by David Mc Kay MPL.
Patients at some of the Free State’s largest hospitals are being forced to endure the consequences of the Department of Health’s failure to properly maintain critical boiler infrastructure.
In reply to the DA’s written question in the Legislature, the Department of Health confirmed that boilers in some hospitals, including Universitas and Pelonomi, were not serviced after the mandatory 36-month Maintenance Framework period had expired.
The Department of Labour had earlier issued a prohibition after an inspection revealed that the boilers did not comply with safety regulations, thereby posing health and safety risks.
The DA has since been inundated with patients complaints about the failure to avail warm water for patients’ use. Recent reports suggest that both hospitals have since resorted to contingency measures, including the use of kettles and urns to warm water, which in turn poses a danger to patients.
The boilers are an important source of steam, which warms ward heaters and provides warm water for bathing patients.
The DA previously demanded that the Department provide a detailed, funded budget and a detailed service, repairs and maintenance plan for all boilers under the Department of Health in the Free State, including the lifespan of current boilers.
The DA is aware that some boilers, for example at Universitas, were only procured five years ago, and that it cannot be that such boilers have reached expiry in terms of their lifespan.
In addition to the reply to the written question, the Department confirmed that the maintenance plan for boilers is an annual service and 36-monthly statutory inspections as well as attending to breakdown repairs as and when needed.
The fact that the 36-month Maintenance Framework Contract exists, yet no mandatory 12-month service and repairs was done until intervention by the Department of Labour is a clear disregard and negligence by the Department of Health to adhere and manage its own contracts.
The DA will continue to demand and pressure the Department of Health to ensure that maintenance is implemented as required by law and that the lives of the people of the province are prioritised.