KZN health department says services may be disrupted in the Amajuba district after heavy rains

Kwazulu-Natal’s health department said that services may be disrupted in the Amajuba district after heavy rains damaged infrastructure at some facilities.

The Madadeni Emergency Medical Services base and the Niemeyer Memorial Hospital suffered structural damage during heavy rain and hailstorms on Friday.

The department said that its priority is to minimise the impact on healthcare delivery. 

A fallen tree damaged a park home and the fence between the Madadeni EMS base and the hospital.

At Niemeyer Memorial Hospital, strong winds blew off the roof of the outpatient department and admitting offices, while heavy rain caused flooding inside the facility.

Infrastructure and facility management teams are still assessing the full extent of the damage.

Department Spokesperson Nathi Oliphant is asking the community to be patient while resources are mobilised to restore services, adding that the safety of patients and staff remains a top priority.

"Our infrastructure and facility teams will conduct a full assessment of the extent of the damage but given the magnitude we anticipate some disturbance in the day to day of the institutions."

Oliphant said that the incident is a reminder of increasingly drastic and unpredictable weather patterns, urging the public to stay vigilant and avoid travelling if possible.