Victims of Bank of Lisbon blaze remembered
The Department of Health in Gauteng has made a commitment that all its facilities will comply with occupational health and safety standards.
The MEC of Health in Gauteng, Bandile Masuku, said this means making sure all facilities that are currently under the department comply with the required standards to ensure the safety of workers and patients.
Masuku was speaking at the commemoration of the fire at the Bank of Lisbon building in the Johannesburg CBD on Thursday.
Three firefighters lost their lives while trying to quell the blaze.
Masuku said buildings under the health department should follow proper urban management practices which prioritises the greening of buildings.
“Which in fact refers to buildings that are less hazardous and have increased resilience against climate change and human made disasters.”
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Last month Masuku revealed close to eight health facilities in Gauteng are non-complaint with occupational and health standards.
The facilities include Bheki Mlangeni Hospital, Far East Rand Hospital, Tembisa Hospital, Kopanong Hospital , Mamelodi Hospital, Gorge Mukhari Hospital, Ekurhuleni District Clinic and Johannesburg District Clinic.
Masuku said the commemoration of the fire, as well as it being 100 days in office, is an opportunity rectify the areas in which the department has not done well in the past.
“It is an opportunity for us to to recognize the areas we have not done well and we need to correct ourselves and work in such a way that we are more attentive to detail, not only terms to quality of our infrastructure but it relates to the nurturing of the people we serve as a department.”
Masuku was joined by family members of the three firefighters, Mduduzi Ndlovu, Khathutshello Muedi and Simphiwe Moropana, who lost their lives on that day.
Masuku also unveiled a removal plague at the steps of the former building.
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