Update: ICU patients moved
The Gauteng Health Department has confirmed that it has successfully moved all 24 patients back to the main Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital was completed after repairs were made to the stolen copper cables.
On Monday morning, December 19, the patients had to be evacuated to another ward after an estimated 10 meter copper pipe supplying the ICU with oxygen was cut and stolen by criminals.
Sadly, in what appears to be a concerted effort of sabotage by criminal actors the facility suffered yet another incident which put patients’ lives at risk.
Copper pipes from a plant room supplying two general surgery theatres with high pressured water were also cut and stolen leaving the theatre’s cooling system compromised.
“Given the nature of the incidents there seems to be a deliberate attempt to destabilize the facility, thus endangering the lives of thousands of people who depend on the public health service,” said the department in a statement.
The latest incident has also been reported to the Diepkloof SAPS.
The Gauteng Provincial Government will soon announce measures being put in place to decisively deal with the situation.