The Minister of Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development, Lebogang Maile, visited Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Friday following the theft of a 10-meter copper pipe that provides water to two general surgery theatresMEC Lebogang Maile examines hospital damage at Bara.
Wednesday’s flood exacerbated the hospital’s precarious condition, as water poured through the leaking roof and into the building.
Copper pipes from a plant room provided water to two high-pressure general surgery operating rooms, which jeopardized the cooling system of the operating rooms.
The Gauteng Department of Health believes that this was an act of sabotage from within and has expressed worry about the safety of patients.
This occurred after the hospital restored the oxygen-supply pipes that were taken from the intensive care unit (ICU).
Maile stated, “Interim measures have been implemented so that patients may receive oxygen, but a permanent pipe will be installed in January.”
He stated that investigations are continuing, and if it is determined that an employee is responsible for this act of sabotage, they would be punished accordingly.
Dr. Nkele Lesia, the chief executive officer of Baragwanath Hospital, stated, “They could not have gained entry without assistance from someone inside.” Because this is a matter of life and death, it is extremely disturbing that hospital employees are capable of harboring such nefarious ideas and would sabotage services to this extent. All the patients may have perished, but to what end and at what expense? “Whoever took this 10-meter pipe knew precisely where it was and how it was attached.”
Copper cable was stolen from Baragwanath Hospital, although administration does not believe stealing was the purpose. The pipe locations were not easily accessible.
The @GPDID MEC @LebogangMaile1 visited @HaniAcademic on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by the theft of a 10-meter copper pipe from the hospital. Investigations into alleged internal sabotage are presently being conducted by @SAPoliceService and Hawks. pic.twitter.com/kOwdDdWmjc
23 December 2022 — Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince)
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