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KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has moved swiftly to address allegations and disciplinary breaches at Northdale Hospital following a widespread electricity outage.
Staff Slammed for Cooking Meals Over Firewood
Simelane has ordered disciplinary action against Northdale Hospital kitchen staff who resorted to cooking patient meals outside the facility using firewood after a power outage in the area.
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Images of the incident, which surfaced on social media, showed staff preparing meals on braai stands, prompting public outrage.
“It was established the hospital was affected by an area-wide electricity outage. While all three backup generators activated as intended, one subsequently malfunctioned, disrupting power to certain sections of the hospital, including the kitchen,” said Simelane.
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Although a service provider repaired the generator within hours, some kitchen staff took matters into their own hands. Simelane slammed the move as “unacceptable and [a violation of] our stringent food safety and contingency protocols.” She stressed that in such emergencies, staff should request support from nearby hospitals instead.
“In light of this breach, I have already requested the department to take the necessary disciplinary steps against those responsible for this breach,” she confirmed.
No Patient Deaths Linked to Outage, Says MEC
Addressing claims made during a protest outside the Pietermaritzburg hospital on Friday, Simelane firmly denied that patient deaths were connected to the power outage.
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“There is no truth to allegations connecting patient deaths to the power outage. I can confirm that mortuary operations maintained normal functionality throughout the incident,” she said.
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The MEC also expressed concern over the misinformation spreading online and reassured the public that Northdale Hospital remained fully operational.
“I want to assure the public that Northdale Hospital remains fully operational, and we are engaging all concerned stakeholders to resolve issues constructively,” she said.
Simelane acknowledged ongoing infrastructure challenges at Northdale Hospital but emphasised that improvements were underway.
She announced that the appointment of a contractor for roof repairs and other renovations has been finalised, with construction set to start next week.
The MEC underscored the department’s commitment to addressing service delivery issues and restoring public confidence in the facility.
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