Note to editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Dr Jack Bloom MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng condemns the ongoing neglect of Tembisa Hospital, which is crippled by 213 vacant posts, critical shortages of essential equipment, and unrepaired fire damage that severely compromises patient care.
This dire situation is revealed in a written reply by the Gauteng Health Department to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
The hospital is currently run by an acting CEO, with five head of unit posts unfilled. Acting staff are described as “overwhelmed because they are required to perform the duties of two positions.”
Other critical shortages include 10 doctors, 10 nursing managers, 56 nurses, and 14 assistant nurses. Even cleaners are in short supply, with 28 vacant posts that the Department admits “compromises hygiene and causes infections.” These shortages lead to long waiting times, delayed surgeries, reduced clinical oversight, and increased pressure on remaining staff, heightening the risk of litigation and medical errors.
Alarming equipment shortages are dangerously affecting patients, according to the Department:
- Ventilators: “Not all patients with respiratory failure can be supported, leading to possible increased mortality.”
- Monitors: “Risk of not continuously tracking vital signs, delayed detection of patient deterioration.”
- Autoclaves: “Shortage might lead to instruments not sterilised, increased risk of hospital-acquired infections.”
- Infusion pumps: “Inaccurate medication/fluid delivery, risk of overdose or underdose.”
- Examination lamps: “Poor visibility during examinations, risk of missed diagnoses.”
Basic items such as wheelchairs, stretchers, chairs, drip stands and food warmers are also in short supply.
Compounding these problems is the unrepaired fire damage from April last year, which has crippled emergency services. Critically ill cases and psychiatric patients are being diverted, which adds to the load at the overburdened Steve Biko, Edenvale, and Tambo Memorial hospitals.
The department blames “budget availability” for the delays in fixed the fire damaged areas. Shockingly, a detailed assessment and costing for the severely damaged areas has not yet been done, so it might be years before it is fully repaired.
I am appalled there has been no effective intervention to rescue this hospital that suffered terribly from looting when fake companies were paid more than R2 billion for undelivered goods and services.
It appears the department does not care about the hospital’s long-suffering staff and patients. The chronic understaffing, overcrowding, and equipment failures put lives at risk every day.
The DA will continue to demand that critical vacancies are filled urgently, essential equipment is provided speedily, and repairs to the fire-damaged sections are fast-tracked.