Repairs to the fire-damaged parts of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital will be completed in August next year, but there is no budget for the R1.7 billion required for fire compliance to prevent a future fire.
This disturbing situation is disclosed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
According to the MEC, the Department has completed the initiation/prefeasibility report, and the concept/feasibility report for facility-wide fire compliance was approved.
She says “the Department is exploring several funding options, while also exploring private investment for the project. To this end, a business case is being completed.”
Meanwhile, R139 million has so far been spent of the R426 million budgeted to repair the hospital by August 2026 in what is called Work Package 1, which should be followed by Work Package 2 to ensure fire compliance.
There is still a shortage of 700 parking bays, which is why parking is a major problem for patients and staff.
The MEC says the parking bays will be reopened as soon as construction has advanced to the state where the reopening will not endanger the lives and property of staff and patients.
She claims there are no delays, and that the project in Work Package 1 is on time and within budget.
It is unacceptable that it will take more than five years since the fire in April 2021 to fix the hospital, which will still not be compliant with legally required fire prevention measures. This is a poor response that would not be tolerated in the private sector.
Patients suffer as they are moved between areas as the repairs take place, and they walk long distances because of the severe parking shortage.
The DA advocates a speedy private/public project that uses private expertise to ensure facilities are up and running in good time, including compliance with essential fire safety measures.