NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2769
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 September 2011  

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 29)

Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) Whether the lives of the patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital were put at risk due to the oxygen and gas supplies to wards and theatres that were cut off on 12 July 2011; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether the police are investigating (a) sabotage and (b) the full circumstances of the cut-off; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW3232E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the lives of patients were put at risk when the supply of medical gas to wards and theatres was interrupted at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The alarm systems gave out a warning signal when the gas supply was interrupted. In this way the lives of the patients were saved.

It emerged that the gas tanks supply the wards and were closed by unauthorized personnel.

(2) A case of sabotage has been opened with Diepkloof Police Station. The measure to restrict access to the institution has been put in place. Razor wire securing the tanks was installed and security beefed up (patrols) around the tanks. An emergency upgrading plan is being implemented to promote the security of major sensitive supply such as gas electricity.

Issued by Parliament, November 23 2011

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