Eight hospital and six clinics in Gauteng – including Chris Hani Baragwanath and Tambo Memorial Hospital – have asbestos exposure issues, with which the national Health Department is apparently dealing, reports EWN.
Tambo Hospital, established in 1905, was declared “unfit for human habitation” in 2017, due to its dilapidated, hazardous state.
DA Gauteng shadow health MEC Jack Bloom said only after he had written a letter to the Gauteng legislature, raising the asbestos problem, did Health & Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko respond, saying that the department would be taking action.
The department claimed that risk exposure is low and “immediate elimination is impossible”, but that maintenance measures had been taken.
EWN article – GP health dept to deal with asbestos hazard at 14 health facilities (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Tambo Hospital declared ‘unfit’ but refurbishment plans on hold
Gauteng needs R6bn for ailing hospitals to pass muster
No fire clearance certificates, floor plans, at Gauteng hospitals