KZN MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has announced that R98-million is required to fix damages to local hospitals affected by the storm last week.
Dhlomo said the Department was in possession of a report that outlined assessment findings, remedial actions, recommendations and estimates for funding required for the restoration of health facilities to a functional state following last week’s strong gale force winds and heavy rains which caused extensive infrastructural damage and flooding to health facilities.
ALSO READ: #DurbanStorm leaves trail of destruction
” Our findings are per damage for each affected institution and based on the assessment by the Provincial Infrastructure Disaster Response Teams and the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi,” said Dhlomo.
He said the report details how each institution was affected and also give the estimates for restoration.
Damage to St Aidan’s Hospital included flooding of the administration block and some wards. The entrance to the hospital was also waterlogged.
Dhlomo said it required replacement of glass skylights, translucent roof sheeting and dome lights. Estimates for this work is R1 million.
Addington Hospital had a number of its sections affected including the accident and emergency building, children’s OPD and dental, the old eye clinic, generator room, O-block and psych ward, the passage to the nurses’ residences, physiotherapy building, stores and linen collection area. Dhlomo said damage is estimated at R6.3 million.
ALSO READ: Survival kit for severe weather
The most damage was recorded at King Edward VII Hospital, where an estimated R25-million is needed to repair the damage caused.
“The main theatre complex was flooded as well as the intensive care unit, high care wards as well as the MOPD. The roof at the ultrasound and stoma therapy buildings were blown away and the waiting area, labour and maternity wards were also affected. The institution is currently using the theatres in the trauma unit as an alternative while the roof at main theatre complex is being fixed. The contractor is also on site fixing all the buildings where roof sheets and tiles have been damaged,” said Dhlomo.
“All in all, a sum of R98,200 million is required and will necessitate the involvement of the Department of Public Works, the Treasury Crack Team as well as the Department of Health,” he said.
