News24 reports that not a single state health facility in Gauteng has been assessed as complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), according to a statement DA Gauteng health spokesperson Jack Bloom issued on Thursday.  

Bloom indicated:  "This bombshell information is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng legislature.  According to Masuku, 'all facilities audited received either a non-compliance finding, such as a contravention and/or improvement compliance notice and fire contravention.'"  The following facilities were the most non-compliant: Bheki Mlangeni Hospital; Far East Rand Hospital; Tembisa Hospital; Kopanong; Mamelodi; George Mukhari; Ekurhuleni district clinics; Johannesburg district clinics.  Bloom said he was dismayed that occupational safety had been so neglected at Gauteng hospitals and clinics, endangering staff and patients.  "We were lucky that no lives were lost when there was a fire at the Bheki Mlangeni hospital earlier this year, but safety measures need to be stepped up at all hospitals.  It highlights once again how grossly unprepared the provincial health department is for the planned National Health Insurance (NHI) which requires properly accredited high-quality health facilities," Bloom said.

• Read the full original of the above report by Riaan Grobler at News24

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