Question NW770 to the Minister of Health
12 April 2024 - NW770
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) When last was each forensic pathology unit’s refrigerators serviced, (b) how often are they serviced, (c) what is the total number of refrigerators that are not functional and (d) on what date will they be repaired or replaced per province in each case; (2) whether there are contingency plans in place for each of the units without functioning refrigerators; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so; what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) and (2) Please see table below
Responses were received from the Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Western Cape Provinces only. Information from other provinces is yet to be received.
|
Free State Department of Health |
|||||
|
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they serviced |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
|
1. Bloemfontein Forensic Mortuary |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
5 |
Date of repair or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval |
Bloemfontein FPS currently has 12 functional refrigerators. Surrounding state hospitals like Pelonomi and Universitas, Botshabelo provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity of Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary. |
|
2. Botshabelo Forensic Mortuary |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity at Botshabelo mortuary |
|
3. Phuthaditjhaba Forensic Mortuary |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
6 |
Date of repairs or replacement: appointed service provider for repairs to visit facility on the 28 March 2024 |
|
|
4. Bethlehem Forensic Mortuary |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
3 |
Date of repair or replacement: Appointed service provider for repairs to visit facility on the 28 March 2024 |
State hospitals in the region including Elizabeth Ross, Thebe and Phekolong hospital provide additional 26 body storage capacity for contingency refrigerating and storage of bodies, when the demand exceeds the capacity in the Forensic Mortuaries, in Phuthaditjhaba and Bethlehem |
|
5. Welkom Forensic Mortuary |
February 2024 |
Every 3 month |
6 |
Date of repair or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval. |
Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity at Welkom mortuary. |
|
6. Kroonstad Forensic Mortuary |
March 2024. |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
|
|
7. Sasolburg Forensic Mortuary |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
15 |
Date of repairs or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval |
Bloemfontein Forensic Mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity for both Kroonstad and Sasolburg mortuary |
|
Limpopo Department of Health |
|||||
|
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they services |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
|
1. Polokwane FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
|
2. Lebowakgomo FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
|
3. Mokopane FPS |
December 2023 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
|
4. Warmbaths FPS |
27 November, 11 December, 1 February 5th March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
3 |
May 2024 |
Contingency plan is available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges |
|
5. Tshilidzini FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 3 months |
4 |
June 2024 |
Purchase order is in progress to procure compressors |
|
6. Elim FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
|
7. Groblersdal FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
All the refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
|
8. St Rita’s FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
September 2024 |
Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
|
9. Letaba FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges |
|
10. Kgapane FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 6 months |
4 |
April 2024 |
Contingency plan available, |
|
11. Maphutha Malatji FPS |
25 August 2023 |
Every 6 months |
6 |
April 2024 |
Request to repair the broken refrigerators is under way, continue to monitor the gauges |
|
12. Nkhensani FPS |
21 November 2023 25 March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges |
• 3 months vs. 6 months depends on the manufacturer specifications.
|
Western Cape Department of Health |
|||||
|
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they services |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
|
1. Beaufort West FPS |
January 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
2. Ceres FPS |
January 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
3. George FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
4. Hermanus FPS |
December 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
5. Knysna FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
6. Laingsburg FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
7. Malmensbury FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
8. Mossel Bay FPS |
January 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
9. Observatory FP Institution |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
10. Oudtshoorn FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
11. Paarl FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
12. Riversdale FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
13. Tygerberg FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
14. Vredenburg FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
15. Vredendal FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
16. Worcester FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
|
North-West Department of Health |
|||||
|
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they services? |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
|
1. Mafikeng FPS |
March 2024 |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2. Lichtenburg FPS |
December 2023 |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
3. Brits FPS |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
4. Phokeng FPS |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
5. Potchefstroom FPS |
March 2024 |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
6. Tshepong FPS |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
7. Vryberg FPS |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Gauteng Department of Health |
|||||
|
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they services |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
|
1. Johannesburg FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2. Roodepoort FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
3. Germiston FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
4. Springs FPS |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
1 |
Awaiting appointment of service provider |
|
|
5. Heidelberg FPS |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
6. Diepkloof FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 6 months |
6 |
11/04/2024 |
|
|
7. Sebokeng FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
8. Pretoria FPS |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
9. Bronkhorstpruit FPS |
January 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
10. Ga-Rankuwa FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
11. Carletonville FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
- 3 months vs. 6 months depends on the manufacturer specifications
|
Mpumalanga Department of Health |
|||||
|
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
Hoe often are they services? |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan in place |
|
1. Themba FPS |
8 April 2024 |
On request |
2 |
Replacements 2022/2023 : 4-New body storage cabinets loading 6 bodies per unit (Completed) 2024/25:Cool room – work in progress New walk-in freezer – Work in progress |
|
|
2. Tonga FPS |
8 December 2023 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
3. Mapulaneng FPS |
20 March 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
4. Tintswalo FPS |
22 March 2024 |
On request |
1 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
|
5. Lydenburg FPS |
16 March 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
6. Barberton FPS |
26 June 2023 |
O request |
1 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
|
7. Middelburg FPS |
4 April 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
8. Witbank FPS |
New units installed |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
9. KwaMhlanga FPS |
6 October 2023 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
10. Belfast FPS |
5 April 2024 |
On request |
1 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
|
11. Mammethlake FPS |
Reconstruction of the cold room |
On request |
1 |
Currently under construction |
New facility |
|
12. Delmas FPS |
26 March 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
13. Ermelo FPS |
6 December 2023 |
On request |
2 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
|
14. Evander FPS |
18 August 2023 |
On request |
1 |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
|
|
15. Piet Retief FPS |
23 February 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
16. Standerton FPS |
25 January 2024 |
On request |
1 |
||
|
17. Volkrust FPS |
4 August 2023 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
18. Embhuleni FPS |
3 August 2023 |
On request |
1 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
|
19. Balfour FPS |
New refrigerators |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
20. Bethal FPS |
22 June 2023 |
On request |
2 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
|
21. Carolina FPS |
10 January 2023 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
END.