Tembisa hospital fire damaged high-tech equipment and building infrastructure
Gauteng's health department said that the Saturday's blaze impacted 81 patients an update from the initial 58 that were previously reported.
The Accident and Emergency Unit at the Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni has been temporarily closed following a fire that broke out at the facility. Picture: Gauteng Health Department.
JOHANNESBURG - Building infrastructure and high-tech equipment have been affected by the fire that broke out at Tembisa Hospital's accident and emergency unit.
Gauteng's health department said that Saturday's blaze impacted 81 patients, an update from the initial 58 that were previously reported.
While no injuries or fatalities were recorded, two patients were moved to intensive care and one to high care.
READ: Gauteng Health MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko says all services at Tembisa Hospital are fully operational
Fifty patients were admitted to other wards, 17 were transferred to nearby hospitals, and seven were discharged.
Head of department, Lesiba Malotana, addressed the media on Sunday, confirming that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
He said the hospital remains operational, with contingency plans in place:
"The area that is identified for contingency is just down the road in the same area so that the same services can be provided, it's less than 50 metres away. What we are worried about is that there's equipment, high-tech equipment, and the roof will have been damaged," said Malotana.