PIPE LEAKS AND FOUL ODOUR AT TAMBO HOSPITAL

Leaking pipes and foul odours afflict the Tambo Memorial Hospital on the East Rand due to a lack of preventive maintenance.

I visited there yesterday and saw blankets and buckets on the floor at various places in order to catch water from leaking ceilings (photos available on request)..

Signs are posted in the corridors saying "We apologise for the bad odour. The problem is being attended to!"

A ceiling panel in the Intensive Care Unit fell down yesterday morning, and other panels are bulging as well. A double doorway is kept open in the ICU to allow cool air in because of the heat from steam that escapes from the pipes.

This is highly unsatisfactory as flies and other infectious agents can come in this way. The Paediatric and Gynaecology wards are also badly affected by leaks.

The immediate problem is due to two malfunctioning calorifiers which are supposed to transfer heat for use in the hospital. Hospital management is doing what it can to alleviate the situation, including anti-bacterial agents to combat the foul smell.

More problems like this will continue to afflict  the hospital unless there is a thorough overhaul and timely maintenance.

Other hospitals are similarly affected by the ongoing maintenance crisis due to lack of funds and poor management.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, January 42010

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