Latest news with #R426
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Charlotte Maxeke repairs on track, says Gauteng Health
Phase one, which includes demolition and reconstruction work in critical areas, is expected to be completed by August 2026. The Gauteng Department of Health on Monday confirmed that the remedial work to repair the fire-damaged Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) is progressing well and remains on schedule. The hospital suffered significant damage in a fire in April 2021. Since then, the department has made 'significant strides' in restoring operations, with the hospital now operating at a bed capacity that exceeds pre-fire levels. Project in two phases The repair project is being conducted in two phases. Phase one focuses on repairing Blocks 4 and 5 North, while phase two will involve hospital-wide fire compliance upgrades, which require R1.7 billion in funding. According to the department, a prefeasibility report and concept report have already been approved, and a business case is being developed. 'The department is actively exploring various funding options and private investments to support this critical phase,' it said. Phase one, which includes demolition and reconstruction work in critical areas, is expected to be completed by August 2026. As of April 2025, R139 million of the allocated R426 million budget for Work Package One has been spent. ALSO READ: Alarm raised over 'R1.7bn fire safety gap' at Charlotte Maxeke hospital Restoration milestones reached Key areas that have already been restored and are operational include the Radiation Oncology Unit and the Accident and Emergency Department. 'A new state-of-the-art dry store facility has been constructed to enhance the storage and accessibility of vital medical supplies,' said the department. To improve safety, new fire doors have been installed throughout much of the hospital. A temporary access ramp has also been constructed, enabling staff to access 300 parking bays at the P3 level, although fire-damaged bays remain closed until they are fully repaired. ALSO READ: Operations continue at Tembisa hospital after second fire in less than a week Patient care remains central The department assured the public that safety and care remain top priorities. Instead of scattering services across multiple facilities, the hospital has adopted a decanting strategy to rotate services internally during the ongoing construction. 'This approach ensures that all services remain within the hospital for better patient care,' the department said. Hospital management and project teams have implemented safety measures and committed to maintaining open communication with staff and stakeholders as work progresses. NOW READ: Gauteng Health's warning for parents
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Concerns about no fire compliance at Charlotte Maxeke hospital
A fire broke out in parts of the hospital in April 2021, forcing its closure. As repairs to the fire-damaged parts of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital near completion, the DA raised concerns about fire compliance to prevent a future blaze. Parts of the hospital caught fire in April 2021, resulting in its closure. Cause of fire at Charlotte Maxeke hospital Patients were referred to other hospitals such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Bertha Gxowa Hospital, which were already overburdened with patients. A police forensic report in 2022 concluded that arson was the cause of the fire at Charlotte Maxeke hospital. Fire hazard DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom said repairs to the fire-damaged parts of Charlotte Maxeke hospital will be completed in August next year, but there is no budget for the R1.7 billion required for fire compliance to prevent a future fire. Bloom said the 'disturbing situation' was disclosed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to his questions in the Gauteng Legislature. ALSO READ: Court orders Gauteng Health to clear radiation oncology backlog at public hospitals Funding He said Ralehoko indicated that the department is exploring several funding options, while also exploring private investment for the Charlotte Maxeke project. 'Meanwhile, R139 million has so far been spent of the R426 million budgeted to repair the hospital by August 2026 in what is called Work Package 1, which should be followed by Work Package 2 to ensure fire compliance.' 'It is unacceptable that it will take more than five years since the fire in April 2021 to fix the hospital, which will still not be compliant with legally required fire prevention measures. This is a poor response that would not be tolerated in the private sector,' Bloom said. Parking bays Bloom added that there is still a shortage of 700 parking bays, a major problem for patients and staff. 'Patients suffer as they are moved between areas as the repairs take place, and they walk long distances because of the severe parking shortage. The MEC says the parking bays will be reopened as soon as construction has advanced to the stage where the reopening will not endanger the lives and property of staff and patients. Bloom added that Ralehoko claimed there were no delays, and that the project in Work Package one 'is on time and within budget'. ALSO READ: Charlotte Maxeke casualty's failure to open a sign of 'deep incompetence'
