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"title": "Poor maintenance blamed for flooding at Klerksdorp hospital",
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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha blamed p</span>oor planning and maintenance for the recent flooding of Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when he visited to assess the impact of the flooding.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-813294\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha (middle of the image with a yellow bib) visits Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp to assess the impact of the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A heavy downpour and water streaming in from a nearby township blocked the hospital’s drainage system, which resulted in the flooding and </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forced the temporary closure of the casualty and outpatient departments, its kit room and parts of its pharmacy.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-813295\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> A woman leaves the hospital pharmacy. Parts of the pharmacy were affected. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients were safely moved into wards and ambulances and emergencies were diverted to Klerksdorp Hospital as doctors, emergency services workers and hospital staff battled till the early hours of Friday morning (15 January) to clear away the water. No patients were affected and the hospital was fully operational within less than 24 hours.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-813296 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" /> Water surrounds Tshepong Hospital trauma unit. Patients were safely moved into wards. Ambulances and emergencies were diverted to Klerksdorp Hospital. (Photo: Supplied)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr Israel Mahume said: “It started off as a small rain, it lasted an hour, to an hour and a half. That is when the flood started. It was very bad. The staff that were there managed to start cleaning up as soon as the rain stopped. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-813297\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" /> Hospital staff battled until the early hours sweeping away the water. (Photo: Supplied)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Everybody came on board with a broom and swept the water away. It was a very tough job and even our CEO was present. Our chief directors and some of our management were also there. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-813298\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> A security guard at the trauma unit entrance. The hospital was fully operational less than 24 hours after the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The fire department and Emergency Medical Rescue Services were also called. It took around 18 hours before we could open the casualty [ward] again.”</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-813301\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> A worker examines a gutter at flood-hit Tshepong Hospital. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospital CEO Thulane Madonsela dismissed allegations of a leaking roof and said, “The drainage system could not carry the load of water coming from the other side that went into the hospital. So it’s not what other people are saying. The MEC is here and the director that is responsible for infrastructure is here and they have already started with a tractor to dig up the sand that was blocking the tunnel, so that the water can go through.”</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-813303\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> Tshepong Hospital workers walk past a section covered in mud. Poor planning and maintenance have been blamed for the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MEC </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sambatha commended hospital staff: “I am pleased with how swiftly the facility was brought back to normal operations. I commend the work done by the municipality’s fire department to drain the water from all the affected areas. Equally, our workers have done a tremendous job cleaning the facility overnight.”</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-813304\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1576\" /> Hospital CEO Thulane Madonsela dismissed allegations of a leaking roof. ‘The drainage system could not carry the load of water coming from the other side that went into the hospital.’ (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-813305\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> A wheelchair surrounded by mud outside the trauma unit. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With regard to the drainage system, departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said, “This matter has been tabled as an emergency at the District Command Council and it is receiving attention. The municipality has also been made aware of the drainage systems challenges in the area and there are discussions already to consider this as an intergovernmental relations project.” </span><b>DM</b>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha blamed p</span>oor planning and maintenance for the recent flooding of Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when he visited to assess the impact of the flooding.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813294\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-813294\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha (middle of the image with a yellow bib) visits Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp to assess the impact of the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A heavy downpour and water streaming in from a nearby township blocked the hospital’s drainage system, which resulted in the flooding and </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forced the temporary closure of the casualty and outpatient departments, its kit room and parts of its pharmacy.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813295\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-813295\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> A woman leaves the hospital pharmacy. Parts of the pharmacy were affected. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients were safely moved into wards and ambulances and emergencies were diverted to Klerksdorp Hospital as doctors, emergency services workers and hospital staff battled till the early hours of Friday morning (15 January) to clear away the water. No patients were affected and the hospital was fully operational within less than 24 hours.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813296\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"540\"]<img class=\"wp-image-813296 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" /> Water surrounds Tshepong Hospital trauma unit. Patients were safely moved into wards. Ambulances and emergencies were diverted to Klerksdorp Hospital. (Photo: Supplied)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr Israel Mahume said: “It started off as a small rain, it lasted an hour, to an hour and a half. That is when the flood started. It was very bad. The staff that were there managed to start cleaning up as soon as the rain stopped. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813297\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"540\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-813297\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" /> Hospital staff battled until the early hours sweeping away the water. (Photo: Supplied)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Everybody came on board with a broom and swept the water away. It was a very tough job and even our CEO was present. Our chief directors and some of our management were also there. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813298\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-813298\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> A security guard at the trauma unit entrance. The hospital was fully operational less than 24 hours after the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The fire department and Emergency Medical Rescue Services were also called. It took around 18 hours before we could open the casualty [ward] again.”</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813301\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-813301\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> A worker examines a gutter at flood-hit Tshepong Hospital. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospital CEO Thulane Madonsela dismissed allegations of a leaking roof and said, “The drainage system could not carry the load of water coming from the other side that went into the hospital. So it’s not what other people are saying. The MEC is here and the director that is responsible for infrastructure is here and they have already started with a tractor to dig up the sand that was blocking the tunnel, so that the water can go through.”</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813303\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-813303\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> Tshepong Hospital workers walk past a section covered in mud. Poor planning and maintenance have been blamed for the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MEC </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sambatha commended hospital staff: “I am pleased with how swiftly the facility was brought back to normal operations. I commend the work done by the municipality’s fire department to drain the water from all the affected areas. Equally, our workers have done a tremendous job cleaning the facility overnight.”</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813304\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-813304\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1576\" /> Hospital CEO Thulane Madonsela dismissed allegations of a leaking roof. ‘The drainage system could not carry the load of water coming from the other side that went into the hospital.’ (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_813305\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-813305\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Shiraaz-hospitalFlood-inset-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> A wheelchair surrounded by mud outside the trauma unit. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With regard to the drainage system, departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said, “This matter has been tabled as an emergency at the District Command Council and it is receiving attention. The municipality has also been made aware of the drainage systems challenges in the area and there are discussions already to consider this as an intergovernmental relations project.” </span><b>DM</b>",
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North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha (middle of the image with a yellow bib) visits Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp to assess the impact of the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
A woman leaves the hospital pharmacy. Parts of the pharmacy were affected. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Water surrounds Tshepong Hospital trauma unit. Patients were safely moved into wards. Ambulances and emergencies were diverted to Klerksdorp Hospital. (Photo: Supplied)
Hospital staff battled until the early hours sweeping away the water. (Photo: Supplied)
A security guard at the trauma unit entrance. The hospital was fully operational less than 24 hours after the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
A worker examines a gutter at flood-hit Tshepong Hospital. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Tshepong Hospital workers walk past a section covered in mud. Poor planning and maintenance have been blamed for the flooding. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Hospital CEO Thulane Madonsela dismissed allegations of a leaking roof. ‘The drainage system could not carry the load of water coming from the other side that went into the hospital.’ (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
A wheelchair surrounded by mud outside the trauma unit. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)