Gauteng legislature's health committee satisfied with Tembisa Hospital blaze recovery efforts

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng legislature's portfolio committee on health has expressed satisfaction with recovery efforts at the Tembisa Hospital following a fire.

The committee visited the facility on Tuesday to assess damage and determine functionality after the blaze that flared up on Saturday.

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The fire gutted the accident and emergency unit, which is separate to the rest of the hospital.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

At the time of the fire, 81 patients were at the unit awaiting help. Since then, 50 have been admitted to other units.

In its efforts to maintain functionality despite the unit being closed, the hospital has repurposed other areas to cover all its services.

During a walkabout, officials noted smoke exposure to other units. However, that is being monitored.

Committee chairperson Ezra Letsoalo said the hospital had added four mobile units to ensure that patient care continued.

"Throughout the visit, the committee was reassured by the department’s proactive approach. A full inventory of undamaged equipment has been compiled, and collaboration with other tertiary institutions and local health care facilities is helping to bridge service gaps during the recovery."

Letsoalo said a follow-up site visit would be conducted soon to determine progress.