Johannesburg - Copper pipeline thieves have hit the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto after making away with a 10-meter copper pipeline this week.
This has led to the Gauteng Health Department calling for an investigation and the arrest of those found to be tampering with and stealing copper pipelines at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has called for the police to leave no stone unturned in bringing those responsible for such acts of vandalism and theft to book, adding that the theft of copper pipelines has put the lives of its patients at risk. This is after reports that copper cable thieves have stolen more than 10 metres of copper pipes at the hospital.
“The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nkomo-Ralehoko, has called for the police to leave no stone unturned to bring to book criminals who put the lives of patients at risk when they cut and stole a 10-metre copper pipe which supplies oxygen to various sections of the of the main intensive care unit (ICU) at the Chris Hani Academic Hospital.“
It is reported that the theft of the pipeline happened this week. The theft was reported by clinicians who work at the facility and noticed that the flow of oxygen was lower than normal. This was reported to the Department of Infrastructure and Development.
“On Monday morning, a group of clinicians noticed the flow of oxygen was lower than normal and reported the matter to the department of infrastructure and development, the department responsible for the pipeline. Further inquiries revealed the pipeline had been tampered with, and a case has since been opened with the Diepkloof police,” Gauteng health spokesperson Motaletale Modiba said.
The MEC has called for tough action to be taken against the culprits, adding that they should not only be charged with theft but also with attempted murder as this theft affects patients who rely on oxygen directly.
“They intentionally put the lives of patients at risk, 19 of whom were on life support and depended on access to oxygen through artificial ventilation,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
The Star
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