Surgeries resumed at Steve Biko hospital after air conditioners fixed
DA Gauteng health shadow Jack Bloom last week said that patients at the hospital were suffering due to the cancellation of surgeries as a result of air conditioning systems.
Surgeries at the Steve Biko academic hospital, which were delayed because of hot weather and a lack of machinery to help cool operating rooms, will this week be attended to.
This was after so-called “chillers” (machinery used to cool rooms) at the hospital have become fully operational to provide air conditioning for safe surgery operations, the hospital said.
Last week Wednesday, appliances providing the desired temperature in theatres broke down and the surgeries were halted.
Hot temperatures increase the risk of infections during surgeries.
“Starting from October 10, all patients scheduled for various types of surgeries will be put back on the operation lists and each will be notified accordingly,” said Steve Biko hospital CEO Dr Mathabo Mathebula.
Mathebula said a catch-up plan was implemented to allow the facility to get back to the original schedule by December.
“Affected patients whose operations were postponed last week may also assist by phoning their respective wards and outpatient departments to enquire.”
This can be done by phoning 012 354 1000.
DA Gauteng health shadow Jack Bloom last week said that patients at the hospital were suffering due to the cancellation of surgeries as a result of air conditioning systems.
“I have received complaints about patients who have been in the hospital for more than a month awaiting their surgery.
“It is yet another maintenance failure by the Department of Infrastructure Development, which keeps appointing incompetent contractors who can’t do the job.
“In this case, the first contractor couldn’t fix the chillers, and a new contractor had to be appointed,” Bloom said.
Bloom said that the hospital had also suffered other challenges such as broken lifts, which also disrupted operations as patients could not be transported between floors.
Bloom said it was risky operating in high temperatures and that the Department of Health must overhaul maintenance at public hospitals.
“Major hospitals like Steve Biko should be able to do their own maintenance and choose decent contractors who can do the job.”
ALSO READ: Africa’s first proclaimed game sanctuary to remain as is
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
