The Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital replaced stolen pipes supplying oxygen to the intensive care units. Photo: Gallo Images
As another incident of alleged sabotage halts operations at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the Gauteng Department of Health suspected it’s an inside job and has raised concerns about patients being put at risk by criminals.
The copper pipes from a plant room supplying two general surgery theatres with high pressured water at the hospital were cut and stolen on Wednesday, leaving the theatre’s cooling system compromised.
This comes after the hospital replaced stolen pipes supplying oxygen to the intensive care units (ICU).
According to the health department, clinicians who are responsible for the plant room where the stolen pipe runs reported the matter to the Department of Infrastructure Development.
This led to the discovery that the oxygen supply pipe was tampered with at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital,” it said.
Gauteng Health Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the plant room where the pipes were cut was not exposed, meaning someone knew where to find them.
“Sadly, in what appears to be a concerted effort of sabotage by criminal actors, the facility suffered yet another incident which put patients’ lives at risk.”
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“Nurses in theatre 15 and 16 noticed water suddenly sipping from the autoclave system (equipment steralisation machine in theatres) into the theatres. When the matter was investigated, it was then discovered that the copper pipes from the plant room were tampered with.”
Modiba said someone is trying to compromise the hospital.
“Given the nature of the incidents there seems to be a deliberate attempt to destabilise the facility, thus endangering the lives of thousands of people who depend on the public health service. The latest incident has also been reported to the Diepkloof SAPS.”
Modiba said the Gauteng Provincial Government will soon announce measures being put in place to “decisively deal with the situation”.
The department said that no stone would be left unturned to find the culprits who endangered the lives of patients.
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