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Main entrance of the Tembisa Hospital after a fire broke out.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is demanding a swift investigation into the recent fire at Tembisa Hospital and consequences for any failures that may have contributed to the incident over the weekend.
The DA expressed concerns that are amplified by a history of inadequate investigations and lack of accountability following previous hospital fires.
Notably, the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital caught fire years ago.
According to the DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom, a recent Gauteng Health Department presentation revealed that none of the province’s public hospitals fully comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, with fire safety being a major concern.
He stated that Tembisa Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital both scored only 72% in Occupational Health and Safety compliance, with many hospitals lacking essential fire prevention and suppression equipment.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has commended the swift response of the Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Team and firefighters after the fire broke out.
A total of 74 patients were safely evacuated to another unit at the hospital. No casualties were reported.
