Second Fire at Tembisa Hospital Prompts Emergency Diversions and Public Concern

Deputy Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has urged the public to go to nearby hospitals for emergencies after a second fire broke out at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. The latest blaze affected the outpatient department just days after a previous fire damaged the facility’s Accident and Emergency Unit.

Patient records were among the items destroyed in the Wednesday morning fire, raising more questions about safety and security at the hospital. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Phaahla visited the site on Wednesday to inspect the damage and confirmed that the second blaze was separate from the one on Saturday night.

“This was not a continuation of the Saturday fire because the area where the fire started earlier today is quite separate from the accident and emergency section,” he said.

The fire reportedly began in the outpatient clinic and records storage area, both located away from the emergency section. Phaahla said while full forensic investigations are ongoing, the area affected by the latest fire had no electricity and was already closed off, which has raised concerns.

“If the area was cordoned off and had no power supply, we have to establish with our forensic specialists what triggered the second fire,” he said.

Despite the incident, the hospital remains operational for non-emergency services. Phaahla confirmed that patients are still receiving medication, thanks to efforts by the facility’s pharmacy team. However, emergency cases are now being diverted to nearby hospitals, including Tambo Memorial and Edenvale.

Patients with non-urgent needs are encouraged to visit clinics and community health centres instead. Chronic patients returning for follow-ups will continue to be assisted. Visiting hours remain unchanged, running from 2pm to 4pm daily via Gate 4.

While authorities currently believe the two fires are not directly linked, Phaahla said investigations into both incidents are continuing.

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Sourced:IOL

Picture: Gauteng department of health/X