Baragwanath Hospital suffers second cable theft incident
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has suffered a second incident of cable theft this week, this time leaving the hospital's cooling system compromised.
On Monday, hospital staff members reported a low flow of oxygen to the Department of Infrastructure Developmen, leading to the discovery that the oxygen supply pipe was tampered with.
Two days later it was discovered that another pipe was tampered with in another section of the hospital, also putting patients’ lives at risk.
Gauteng Health spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, says the stolen pipes that supplied two general surgery theatres with high pressured water were cut and stolen.
This compromised the cooling system in two theatres.
"Nurses in theatre 15 and 16 noticed water suddenly sipping from the autoclave system (equipment steralisation machine in theatres) into the theatres. When the matter was investigated it was then discovered that the copper pipes from the plant room were tampered with.
"Given the nature of the incidents there seems to be a deliberate attempt to destabilise the facility, thus endangering the lives of thousands of people who depend on the public health service.
"The Gauteng Provincial Government will soon announce measures being put in place to decisively deal with the situation".
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