PPE burns in hospital fire

Democratic Alliance shadow health MEC Jack Bloom has raised questions about occupational safety measures at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital after a fire broke out yesterday morning in the special dispensary stores.

Gauteng health MEC spokesman Kwara Kekana assured the public the fire was contained and that there were no reported casualties.

“Firefighters were on site and all staff in surrounding areas of the fire were evacuated,” said Kekana. “The hospital’s clinical services have not been affected.”

She added that the cause of the fire was yet to be established.

Kekana said a PPE storeroom went up in flames. “The special dispensary storeroom was used for storing all dry surgical and medical items. These items included gloves, PPE and catheters, amongst others. The department will share more details as they become available,” she said.

Bloom said although the situation was brought under control, some scheduled medical procedures had to be halted.

He said the matter needed to be dealt with.

“The staff had to remove their cars and surgery also had to be halted as a precautionary measure,” he said.

“Speedy investigation into the cause of the fire is needed.”