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."

Comments

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Thu Jun 20 14:43:52 SAST 2013 ::

May 16, 2012

rasefatee

i will never cancel my medical aid never not under the anc led administration imagine a hospital without furosemide tablets patiants taking medication on empty stomuch this does not happen even in zimbabwe the africa poorest country
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May 16, 2012

tlebebe

saphela isizwe sagithi.
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May 16, 2012

MommaC

Which moegoe is in charge of Bara at the moment?

Doc Aaron's NHI is a pipe-dream if he doesn't get this kind of negligence sorted out
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May 16, 2012

MommaC

Oh and where is the useless MEC for Gauteng? Not back from her latest overseas sh0pping trip or just too busy to do her damn job?
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May 16, 2012

Shredder

Some people are being in critical jobs for nothing. Nxa! Ai man! This is.... Aish, we are tired of hearing about negligence and incompetence. Can't these people do their jobs properly once in a while. At least I can give credit to Aaron Motsoaledi, He is trying, but his stuff, his stuff man!!. And the union will stand up for the guy in charge for maintenance should they want to fire him.
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May 16, 2012

BaleliM

If this was something to do with DA, 400 comments would have been here already. We are such hypocrites and never admit when we fail.
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May 16, 2012

Amazed

Power can go off even at Private Hospital but it is inexcusable for generators not to kick inn,Unpardonable honestly.This Jack Bloom however what is his job title,he can complain how old is he.Is it Old age or something uuh i dont like him Ijo he reminds me of He e Zime OR SHOULD I SAY hELEN zILLE
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May 16, 2012

joyful

@Amazed
you are officially retarded!

this man have just highlighted a critical situation at the biggest hospital in Africa - one of the biggest in earth ............... and all you have to say is he is wrong????

in fact you are cruel, as cruel as ANC - Bara hospital is occupied by patients(>85% black) who are helpless! one wonders where is the MEC of helath in GP - I guess you party with them!

heartless!
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May 16, 2012

joyful

@Shredder
exactly my sentiments! but then the person who is managing Bara probably have zero management or health related qualification - and most probably no exprience in management................

just another ANC comrade..........

and sadly enough, our people pay with their lives when life-saving machines are off, when there is no medicine(just because the tender was given to a non-existant company of family/friends)
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May 16, 2012

Zezinho

We hear the technicalities BUT the service sucks! Until people employed by the health profession see it as a service than a job nothing will change.

I watched in horror last nite as the toddler got amputed for no reason what so ever!
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