Bara Casualty Unit
About 4000 medical casualty patients are diverted every month from the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital because of a change of plan with regard to the renovation of the casualty unit.
This is revealed in a written reply to my questions by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
In June last year she announced that the Bara medical casualty would be closed until December as it was being renovated.
Now she says that the Ward was completed on 15 December at a cost of R11 million but it is being used by the trauma unit instead.
Bheki Mlangeni & South Rand Hospitals
No date has been given for renovations to another ward that would allow the reopening of the medical casualty which treats people with heart attacks, breathing problems, fevers and general bad medical symptoms.
According to Mahlangu, there are no problems arising as a result of the redirecting of medical casualties to other hospitals, including the Bheki Mlangeni and South Rand hospitals.
I am astonished that she thinks there are no problems for the 4000 patients sent to lower grade hospitals that are not as well-equipped as the old Bara medical casualty unit.
There are also transport difficulties so that ambulances are tied up with patient transport to other hospitals.
Poor Planning
I find it very strange that the medical casualty ward is renovated and then occupied by another unit that was previously operating in another part of the hospital.
It seems to me that poor planning is delaying the re-opening of the medical casualty unit at Bara.
Media enquiries:
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health
082 333 4222