Health minister Dr Joe Phaahla recently announced several measures to mitigate the impact of load shedding on healthcare services — a move met with mixed responses.
At least 37 hospitals have so far been exempted from load shedding and work is under way to include more across the provinces. According to Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the national Department of Health, the number has increased, but the updated numbers are not yet available.Dr Aslam Dasoo of the Progressive Health Forum tellsintervened in the crisis caused by load shedding at hospitals, but he questions why it took so long.
“But this is the first aspect of it. I think we tackle the biggest emergencies and are the biggest users of diesel for the biggest generators and I’m happy with where we are. But it has to filter down to all healthcare structures. According to the health department, most hospitals have already exhausted their budget for fuel, which means that they are forced to shift budget from other line items to keep lights and machines on in critical care departments.
The Democratic Alliance has since called on the health minister to work with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa“Discussions are ongoing to exempt all hospitals according to the priority lists submitted by provinces,” says Mohale. The City of Johannesburg’s power utility, City Power, has also said it is difficult to exclude all the facilities in the City of Johannesburg from load shedding because of the network configuration.
“Solarised energy will be prioritised for areas such as theatres, intensive care units, and hi-tech and advanced equipment,” he said. In Gauteng, for example, the provincial health department, in response to a question by DA MPL Jack Bloom, said there were 181 generator failures at the province’s health facilities this year due to diesel shortages. The province has already spent R42-million running its generators — almost double the amount spent last year.
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