Although the Gauteng Health Department says repairs at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital are on track, operating at 90% – 974 beds compared with its pre-fire capacity of 1 068 beds – waiting lists are still unacceptably long, with 833 orthopaedic surgery patients who could wait up to two years, and 453 child patients who will also wait between six months to two years for surgery.
All specialities are present, added the department, and the hospital is bringing back the female psychiatry ward, based at Helen Joseph Hospital.
But patients are still battling to access services, waiting lists appear endless, and the massive parking problem persists, reports News24.
The devastating fire that led to the closure of the hospital more than a year ago started in the basement parking. Since then the entire parkade, which accommodates about 1 000 vehicles, remains closed, so staff, patients and visitors must park in the streets around the hospital. This means a wait of up to an hour for space for those unable to walk far distances, or a walk of up to 2km for able to find any available spot.
DA shadow health MEC Jack Bloom said the parking problem has not been alleviated and remains unaddressed.
“I asked the hospital if a request had been sent to the neighbouring Emoyeni Conference Centre for permission to use their parking facilities. It’s next door, it’s a provincial conference centre, and they have plenty of bays standing open. But I was told to ask the Health Department,” Bloom said.
Commenting on the latest figures available to him, Bloom said 780 operations had been cancelled at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital last year, leading to a surgery waiting list of 2 677 patients.
Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi said reasons for the cancellations included insufficient theatre time, a shortage of ICU beds compounded by COVID-19 disruptions, and the partial closure of the hospital.
Motalatale Modiba of the Health Department, said: “For outpatients, the hospital is between 70% and 75% (55 000) compared with pre-fire capacity (about 70 000 outpatients a month).”
At least 20% of the clinical space was “undergoing fire remedial work or is inaccessible as it is above the fire-damaged area”.
He said the department had not yet received any forensic report relating to the fire. However, on 4 September, Daily Maverick published excerpts from a SAPS forensic report showing arson was the cause of the blaze, recommending further investigation by the police. The affidavit detailing the findings was dated 27 August 2021.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Charlotte Maxeke hospital blaze an act of arson – forensic report
Charlotte Maxeke casualty unit reopens but for arranged transfers only
Charlotte Maxeke debacle places ‘enormous load’ on Helen Joseph Hospital
DA: Health MEC’s reply highlights dire situation at Charlotte Maxeke cancer unit