WHY IS BARA STILL HIT BY POWER FAILURE?

It is outrageous that the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has been hit yet again by power outages. Last week on Thursday a generator failed to start up, leaving 16 operating theatres without electricity. Doctors had to use headlamps and torches to complete operations. Power also failed on Saturday morning.

Cable theft has been given as a reason, but this is a poor excuse as R20 million a year is spent on security at the hospital. It is inexcusable that there was generator failure as generators should be regularly serviced and tested.

Last year there were a whole lot of power failures that we were told would not happen again. There needs to be accountability for the latest power failures, with systems put in place to ensure reliable electricity at all times.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, May 1 2012

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