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.
END.