Question NW666 to the Minister of Health
02 April 2024 - NW666
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What are the reasons that Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in eThekwini was without electricity for a week which had a negative impact on services provided to patients seeking medical attention; (2) whether the specified issue has been resolved; if not, why not; if so, what (a) led to the hospital finding itself without electricity and (b) are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to the KZN Provincial Health:
1. The hospital electricity supply was disrupted by the breakdown of the eThekwini Metro Council managed substation which supplies the area. The disruption continued for 3 days starting from around 11H35 on Monday 04 March 2024 up to around 11h35 on Wednesday 06 March 2024.
2. The issue was resolved at 11h35 on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (a) The delay in resolving the situation was caused by the eThekwini Metro workers' strike which prohibited the required staff from responding swiftly. (b) All six generators at the hospital were active during this time preventing the hospital from being completely shut down. This allowed vital services such as critical care, intensive care units, and four theatres to continue operating.
END.