Johannesburg – The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla has reassured the public of the continuation of services at the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital despite the second fire incident at the main Outpatient department.
Firefighters from the City of Ekurhuleni’s Fire Department responded swiftly to the incident and effectively extinguished the fire Wednesday, (23 April 2025), morning and at around 08:00, they had already cleared the smoke in the main Outpatient department area using the Positive Pressure Ventilation.
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It is important to indicate that the main Outpatient department was already cordoned off and the power supply was isolated after the first fire incident on Saturday afternoon (19 April 2025), therefore it was not operating and there were no patients in the area at the time of the incident.
The smoke from the main Outpatient department area unfortunately spread to the Eye Clinic and Pharmacy nearby.
It has also affected the areas that were initially cleared from the Saturday fire such as Surgical Outpatient Department, Medical Outpatient Department, Family Medicine, and the administration block which were meant to be the alternative Accident and Emergency service area.
Dr. Phaahla said these areas were now undergoing a re-clearing process, involving air quality assessments and issuing of new electrical COC, to make them available for full use.
The cause of both the Outpatient department and Accident and Emergency Unit fire incidents was still under investigation by various law enforcement teams and regulators.
“The department appeals for calmness and patience during this time,”
said Dr. Phaahla.
“As things stand, all patients receiving care at the hospital are safe.
“There is a business continuity plan to enable the department to continue rendering health services.
“Arrangements have been made to ensure that all patients can continue to access the much-needed healthcare services with minimal interruptions.”
The hospital is still on ambulance divert for emergencies; however, walk-in patients can be attended to.
Patients are encouraged to make use of their local clinics to access healthcare and come to the hospital after they have been referred.
Critical services are continuing in designated areas or departments within the hospital.
A help desk has been established to provide information and redirect patients and members of the public on-site.
Members of the public whose family members are admitted to the hospital are still able to visit them as per the normal visiting hours of 14:00 to 16:00 using gate 4.
The deputy minister appealed to various organisations that have an interest in conducting oversight visits at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital to allow the investigators and relevant governance structure to do their work according to their mandate.
He said regular updates will be provided through public platforms and existing governance structures.
