Pieces of the ceiling in Tembisa Hospital’s maternity ward are scattered on the floor and furniture. Picture: Supplied
Newly-born babies and their mothers escaped injury when the ceiling collapsed in Tembisa Hospital’s labour ward.
The incident happened at about 1.30pm on Thursday in a busy ward that delivers between 30 and 40 babies a day, Jack Bloom, MPL, DA Gauteng shadow health MEC said.
“I am relieved there were no serious injuries, although a staff member got bruised by falling debris. The damage is extensive, and patients have been moved to another ward while contractors are working to repair the ceiling.”
He said walk-in patients were still being attended to, but ambulances were diverting expectant mothers to neighbouring hospitals, Kempton Express reported.
“It appears the ceiling was damaged by water from the tornado that hit the area in July last year. It follows the roof collapse at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital earlier this year,” Bloom added.
“This highlights the need for building inspections to identify weak points in hospitals where tragedies could happen. We should never compromise in ensuring that hospital buildings are safe places were people get healed and not injured.”
– Caxton News Service
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