Charlotte Maxeke loses power
BRAAMFONTEIN – Department of Health explains the power outage at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Braamfontein experienced a power outage on 11 January where certain wards were left without power.
Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that the power outage occurred around 9.45am. “All generators kicked in and one compressor linked to a support generator did not have enough pressure to kick start the said generator and unfortunately all generators stopped,” said Mabona.
The power outage was caused by a fire at The Ridge substation. According to Louis Pieterse of City Power, the power outage affected areas such as: Parktown, Parkview, Forest Town, Braamfontein, Linksfield, Bellevue, Observatory, Hillbrow and Berea.
Pieterse added that 50 per cent of the areas were expected to have power restored by the evening of 11 January and the rest by the morning of 12 January. He continued that technicians fixed the pressure challenge and all generators kicked started, although one area did not have power supply.
DA Shadow Minister MEC for Health Jack Bloom commented, “There must be accountability for this failure and effective steps to ensure that all generators work when required.”
Mabona explained how about seven neonatal babies where moved to the private sector, and some mothers transferred to Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. One Trauma patient was transferred to Far East Hospital. The hospital, according to Mabona, is currently conducting emergency surgery only.
Bloom further stated, “We need to know why the generators failed despite all the assurances by Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu that this would never happen again at any Gauteng hospital.”
Mahlangu responded, “We are monitoring the situation, making sure that all generators are running smoothly, while waiting for City Power to restore power. Our priority is to save lives.”
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