Safety fears at Port Shepstone Hospital following fire last year
Senior managers at the hospital have voiced their concerns at the safety of the damaged section, saying it had been painted over to hide the soot.
A report into the fire that gutted the information technology (IT) section at the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital last year is yet to be made public.
The wards above the damaged area are currently in use, and the health department has issued assurances that the technical assessments and redesigning had been completed.
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Health spokesman, Ncumisa Mafunda said plans to begin repairs were ‘at an advanced stage’, with an estimated R18-million tender on the cards.
However, senior managers at the hospital have voiced their concerns at the safety of the damaged section, saying it had been painted over to hide the soot.
“We are worried about our safety, and we have no idea how the department plans to fix this mess. Patients are already being housed on the floors above, and there are more than a hundred beds in those wards,” said one.
Last week, the DA wrote to the Health MEC demanding a full report on the fire and the safety of the hospital structure after an oversight visit by DA health spokesman, Dr Imran Keeka.
According to Dr Keeka, the DA found that while plans were in place to begin repairs, parts of the affected building were still being used to accommodate patients.
Dr Keeka said fire damage to the ground floor had been ‘neatened up’ and painted, but the safety of staff and patients was a concern because of possible structural damage.
“This is a particular concern as the storm season approaches. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. We need confirmation whether a stability assessment has been undertaken by structural and other engineers after the fire.”
Ms Mafunda said that unlike in the case of flooding, the damage caused to a building by a fire can affect its structural integrity.
This, she said, necessitated thorough assessment, planning and a redesign of the building before any repair work could commence. She added that funding also needed to be secured.
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