R5 MILLION EQUIPMENT WAITS FOR REPAIRS AT BARA HOSPITAL

Equipment worth about R5 million sits in a warehouse at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital awaiting repairs because medical repair companies have not been paid.

There are hundreds of items, including 24 broken incubators that could be repaired and used in the overcrowded neo-natal ward. A new incubator costs about R40 000, but repairs to these incubators would cost less than R4000 each.

There are also fetal monitors, ventilators, infusion pumps, ICU cribs used to warm up babies - all vital equipment that is needed for patients. Some of the equipment has been awaiting repair for more than a year.

It's a very sad situation as repairs have largely ground to a halt because the Gauteng Health Department owes medical equipment companies huge amounts of money. One or more of the companies will likely use court action to force payment.

The department says it has "cash flow problems", but the hospital could face serious problems if unserviced equipment breaks down. It's one more example of the maintenance and repair crisis facing Gauteng hospitals.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom, MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, January 11 2011

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