Question NW3483 to the Minister of Health
13 October 2022 - NW3483
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What are the details of his department’s response to the recent calls by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa for healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics to be exempt from load-shedding as it poses risks to patients; (2) whether he has found that patients are being adversely affected by the blackouts; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) to what extent and (b) what are the full relevant details?
Reply:
1. Firstly, the National Department of Health has identified a priority list of health facilities that require an urgent exemption either from Eskom or local municipalities. The list has been submitted to both Eskom and local municipalities for approval. Secondly, my department is currently conducting a due diligent exercise for the installation of solar panels at all our health facilities as a second or third power back-up mechanism (first being generators and second being Uninterrupted Power Supply).
2. Refer to response above.
END.