Medical casualty still closed at Bara Hospital
Trauma casualty now housed in the newly renovated section, but there is no new section for medical casualty.
The medical casualty unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is still closed despite promises last year that it would be reopened this year once renovations for a new casualty section were completed in December.
Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Gauteng Shadow for Health Jack Bloom said, “I visited the hospital last week Friday and found that the trauma casualty is now housed in the newly renovated section, but there is no new section for medical casualty.
“The main burden falls on the Bheki Mlangeni Hospital (Jabulani Hospital) is to treat medical emergency cases like heart attacks, fevers and breathing problems.
“The closure has also led to an increased number of psychiatric patients being sent to South Rand Hospital which is not properly equipped to handle them.
“I saw another part of the casualty section at Bara Hospital that is completely gutted and would take some months before it can be refurbished for medical emergencies.
“I am disappointed that medical casualty cases will continue to be diverted from Bara Hospital for some time.”
Bloom said, “It seems that there has been a change of plan for this renovation that has so far cost R8.3 million when it was only supposed to cost R4.5 million.
“Patients and staff are inconvenienced by the delay and the alternative hospitals are taking strain in treating them.
“The Gauteng Health Department should explain why all the renovations have not been completed by now, and set a firm deadline for the reopening of the medical casualty at Bara Hospital.”
