Question NW1609 to the Minister of Health
19 June 2023 - NW1609
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital that had their cooling systems compromised in December 2022 when copper piping supplying the theatres with water was stolen, what (a) other incidences of this nature have occurred at other healthcare facilities across the Republic and (b) has he done in response to the rising security and crime threat at public facilities?
Reply:
a) The National Department of Health has been informed by the Gauteng Department of Health about the stolen copper pipes/cables at Charlotte Maxeke, Steve Biko and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospitals. There were other similar incidents that were reported by the Free State Department of Health regarding copper pipes being stolen from the following hospitals:
- Bongani hospital (Welkom)
- Boitumelo hospital (Kroonstad)
- Thebe hospital (Harrismith)
- Monapo hospital (Qwa Qwa)
- Elizabeth Ross hospital (Qwa Qwa)
- National hospital (Bloemfontein)
- Universitas hospital (Bloemfontein)
- JS Maroka hospital (Thaba Nchu)
- Mohau hospital (Hoopstad)
All these incidents were reported to the nearest police stations and case numbers were issued accordingly.
b) Minster of Health has appointed Ministerial Task Team for safety and security in all public health facilities. The purpose of the task team was to assess the effectiveness of security measures and make recommendations. The task team has conducted security assessments at all public health facilities. Subsequently reports were drafted with the following recommendations:
- Improve security infrastructure like perimeter fencing and security guard rooms.
- Installation of security technology like CCTV camera systems, access control and alarm systems.
- Development of standardised security framework.
- Effective security contract management to hold Service Providers accountable.
- Regular security patrols at public health facilities by SAPS especially in hotspot facilities.
- Deployment of police reservists at hotspot public health facilities.
- Implementation of intelligence driven security measures at hotspot facilities
- Escort of EMS by SAPS to hotspot communities.
In this regard, memorandum of understanding was entered into between SAPS and NDoH to ensure regular patrols and deployment of police reservists.
Ministerial task team meet on regular basis to monitor the implementations of the recommendations and to assist provinces with any required security intervention.
END.