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Gauteng’s public hospitals and clinics have suffered 181 generator failures this year due to a shortage of diesel during load-shedding, and they spent R42 million in total for running their generators.

This is revealed by Acting Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

The Tshwane district was hit the hardest by fuel shortages, with its clinics running out of diesel 98 times.

In Johannesburg district, generators in clinics ran out 52 times, in the Vaal area there were 15 incidents of diesel shortage, and there were 5 incidents in Ekurhuleni clinics.

The Tembisa Hospital ran out of diesel six times this year, Sebokeng Hospital had two such incidents, and the Far East Rand, Bronkhorstspruit and Heidelberg hospitals each had a single incident of fuel shortage.

Meanwhile, R42.5 million has been spent on diesel for generators so far this year, which is nearly double the R22.5 million for the same period last year.

According to Nkomo-Ralehoko, the increase in cost is due to the “increase in cost estimates from various contributing factors such as inflation, price adjustment as per contract signed off with National Treasury, rate of consumption due to load shedding and other variables.”

Reasons for the diesel shortages are given as follows:

“The National Treasury contract has resulted in a number of suppliers awarded the tender per Province. The inability of the main contractor has led to other substitutes appointed to assist in the supply of diesel. The issue of load shedding increased demand, which directly impacted on the appointed contractor’s ability to supply large quantities and on time.”

I am alarmed by the frightening number of generator failures due to fuel shortages as they disrupt health services and put lives in danger.

There should never be a diesel shortage as it is a readily available product.

Hospital and clinic managers should always monitor their diesel supplies closely and ensure they have enough to run during power failures.

As load-shedding and other power outages continue, it is vital that generators in hospital and clinics are properly maintained and always have sufficient diesel stock.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC