Johannesburg – A ceiling collapsed at Leratong Hospital resulting in surgeries being cancelled, it emerged on Thursday morning.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) shadow Gauteng Health MEC Jack Bloom said the incident occurred earlier this week on Monday.
He said: “The DA was dismayed by the collapse of a ceiling at the Leratong Hospital on the West Rand which has severely disrupted surgery”.
Bloom added: “Fortunately, no one was injured, but many surgery cases have had to be cancelled or deferred.
“It is yet another example of poor maintenance at our public hospitals, which are increasingly hazardous for staff and patients.”
The DA shadow MEC said the root of the problem was “massive corruption and incompetence” that wastes money that should be used to fix our crumbling hospitals.
“The DA calls for a complete overhaul of infrastructure management in Gauteng so that priorities are identified and budgets are spent effectively and efficiently,” Bloom said.
Commenting on the matter late Thursday, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) a portion of the ceiling in the reception area unexpectedly collapsed on Monday, (6 November 2023), in the afternoon.
Giving further details regarding the ceiling collapse, GDoH Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said: “This prompted the facility to immediately implement contingency measures to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries incurred during the incident except for a service provider who sustained minor scratches on the back.
“The staff members who were on duty were sent for medical incidental surveillance and counselling.”
Modiba said the affected staff were all doing well.
“An assessment was done on the extent of the damage in the affected section and a decision was taken to temporarily close the theatre complex to allow for the installation of a new suspended ceiling.”
Modiba said the GDoH “can confirm that a contractor has been appointed and is on-site to replace the ceiling at Leratong Hospital’s theatre complex”.
He said the installation of the new ceiling throughout the whole theatre department commenced this week and will carry on to the weekend.
“Since the incident, daytime theatre cases are performed at Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital while nighttime diversion of ambulances has been activated to accommodate patients requiring care,” revealed Modiba
“These measures guarantee that medical services are available and accessible throughout the repair process.
“On completion of the repair work, there will be a detailed assessment of the safety of the workplace.
“Medical equipment will also be retested and recalibrated before resuming operations in the theatre complex.
“The occupational health and safety team is on standby to inspect on completion.”
