Doctors at the Intensive Care Unit and the Short Stay Ward had to do manual ventilation of patients in the dark - report
At 2am Tuesday, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital suffered another power cut, and the generators did not kick in, apparently because there was no diesel.
The DA's Jack Bloom said the power was off for about two hours in the early morning.
"It’s absolutely unbelievable that this hospital still suffers power failures, and generators fail to operate," he said in a statement.
"There were power failures last month, and a whole spate of power cuts last year.
"This time someone must be fired.
"There must be accountability and an urgent solution to the power woes at this hospital."
MEDICINE SHORTAGES REPORTED
Bloom also said he continued to receive complaints of medicine shortages in Gauteng hospitals and clinics despite the pledge by Gauteng Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe that problems at the Auckland Park Medical Depot are being rectified.
Helen Joseph Hospital, for instance, has run out of the following medicines:
- Peritoneal Dialysis Dialysate: means many patients with Chronic Renal Failure are being compromised.
- Salmerterol inhalers: Many patients with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease are losing control, and becoming symptomatic just as winter approaches.
- Furosemide 40mg tablets. ( Lasix): Crucial diuretic used for cardiac failure and renal failure. Patients getting 125mg tablet as outpatients. This is 3 times the dose they should be getting, and potentially life threatening.
Furthermore, he said, insulin is running out at some clinics, and even critical chemotherapy drugs.
The shortage of certain anti-retrovirals (ARVs) is caused by a national tender problem, Bloom said.
"Unpaid suppliers is a major part of the problem in Gauteng, but also inefficiency in ordering and holding sufficient stock.
"The Gauteng Health Department must rectify medicine shortages urgently, as patient care is being compromised."
Another power cut at Bara hospital
Doctors at the Intensive Care Unit and the Short Stay Ward had to do manual ventilation of patients in the dark - report
At 2am Tuesday, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital suffered another power cut, and the generators did not kick in, apparently because there was no diesel.
The DA's Jack Bloom said the power was off for about two hours in the early morning.
"It’s absolutely unbelievable that this hospital still suffers power failures, and generators fail to operate," he said in a statement.
"There were power failures last month, and a whole spate of power cuts last year.
"This time someone must be fired.
"There must be accountability and an urgent solution to the power woes at this hospital."
MEDICINE SHORTAGES REPORTED
Bloom also said he continued to receive complaints of medicine shortages in Gauteng hospitals and clinics despite the pledge by Gauteng Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe that problems at the Auckland Park Medical Depot are being rectified.
Helen Joseph Hospital, for instance, has run out of the following medicines:
- Peritoneal Dialysis Dialysate: means many patients with Chronic Renal Failure are being compromised.
- Salmerterol inhalers: Many patients with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease are losing control, and becoming symptomatic just as winter approaches.
- Furosemide 40mg tablets. ( Lasix): Crucial diuretic used for cardiac failure and renal failure. Patients getting 125mg tablet as outpatients. This is 3 times the dose they should be getting, and potentially life threatening.
Furthermore, he said, insulin is running out at some clinics, and even critical chemotherapy drugs.
The shortage of certain anti-retrovirals (ARVs) is caused by a national tender problem, Bloom said.
"Unpaid suppliers is a major part of the problem in Gauteng, but also inefficiency in ordering and holding sufficient stock.
"The Gauteng Health Department must rectify medicine shortages urgently, as patient care is being compromised."
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