OHSC to investigate Tembisa Hospital fires amid safety concerns

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) says it will be sending inspectors to probe the cause of the fire incidents at Tembisa hospital in Gauteng’s Eastrand.

The fires, which happened days apart, have brought into question the hospital’s safety protocols and emergency preparedness.

OHSC’s Chief Operations Officer, Mathabo Mathebula, says there’s an urgent need for a comprehensive assessment of the facility to ensure the safety of everyone who makes use of the facility.

“The office of health standard complaints will be dispatching a team of inspectors to conduct a risk-based inspection as a fact-finding and action to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire incidents. Considering that the winter season is on, this inspection will enable the OHSC to establish possible root causes and to make informed recommendations that are made to mitigate the risks of fire incidents.”

Full report

Meanwhile, the Health Portfolio Committee chairperson, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo says they are still waiting for a full report as investigations are continuing into the cause of fire that damaged parts of the Tembisa Tertiary Hospital in Ekurhuleni earlier this week.

No casualties were reported in both incidents. This has led to the diversion of some of the emergency services to nearby health facilities.

Dr Dlomo says, “The investigations are still going on. But somebody could suspect an element of arson in this place. And therefore, we will await the report. And take it from there. We are actually very happy with what we have received. Both from the MEC and the acting head of trauma, Dr Kim.”