MEC shares new emergency plans after Tembisa fire

AS THE investigation into the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital (TPTH) fire gets underway, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has revealed that the department has identified a space within the hospital to use as an accident and emergency unit.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

This comes after the MEC and her team visited the hospital on Sunday to assess the extent of the damage to the Accident and Emergency Unit.

The blaze, which broke out on Saturday afternoon, prompted a swift and heroic response from the Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Team and firefighters, with reports that all 81 patients were safely evacuated to another unit within the facility, with no casualties reported.

Nkomo-Ralehoko also praised the responders for their bravery and efficiency, ensuring that the hospital remains operational despite the incident.

"I wish to emphasise that the origin of the fire is still under investigation. We await the official forensic report, and we will continue to keep the public informed of all findings as we are busy now with the investigating teams from various units. Let me take this moment to once again thank the teams on the ground who have worked tirelessly since the fire incident," the MEC said.