The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital is crippled today as Johannesburg City Power cut their electricity this morning because of non-payment.
I visited the hospital this afternoon and spoke to anxious staff and distressed patients.
The generator power is working but is not sufficient for full operations, and there is limited fuel for a long cut-off.
Only emergency surgery can be done with generator power.
It is disgraceful that the Gauteng Health Department does not pay its bills, but a hospital is an essential service that should never be cut off from power.
This unacceptable situation should be resolved as soon as possible. Patients should not suffer because of the department’s mismanagement.