Mokonyane speaks out against acts of sabotage at Bara 

Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has condemned acts of sabotage at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital today.

The hospital, the biggest in the southern hemisphere, has recently been plagued by problems such as intermittent power outages, which have led to a backlog in surgeries, linen shortages and a gas supply problems.

Last week, Mokonyane received reports that certain people were deliberately switching off the oxygen supply to patients in ICU and operating theatres.

Mokonyane said she believes there is staff with grievances that have been tampering with equipment in the ICU, Neonatal unit and maternity wards.

"There is no grievance that justifies tampering with medical equipment which would affect people's lives," she said.

Mokonyane received a report from the hospital's CEO Johanna More that oxygen to the ICU and operating theatres was deliberately cut off and the supply of gas to parts of the hospital was disrupted because someone had tampered with the main valve on the premises. The power outages also affected the hospital's laundry services.

Mokonyane said though they are still not sure who has been tampering with the valves, the police have been called in to investigate and action would be taken against the perpetrators.

"This is nothing but sabotage and it must come to an end," she said.

"I think this is an internal issue as the areas that were affected only employees of the hospital have access to," said Mokonyane

She did however indicate that a security at the health facility would be stepped up.

"The South African Police Services will conduct a thorough security risk assessment and will also conduct an investigation on the incidents that have been encountered at the hospital," she concluded.

More said the hospital would increase capacity of mobile electrical units and generators would be used in sections where they experienced power outages.

She added that to date the hospital's turn-around strategy had been successful in improving service delivery at the hospital.

Statement issued by the Gauteng Office of the Premier, July 12 2011

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