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Asbestos hazards have been identified at 8 Gauteng public hospitals and 6 clinics, and some measures have been taken to mitigate the health risk.

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

Affected hospitals include the following:

• Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
• George Mukhari Hospital
• Tambo Memorial Hospital
• Far East Rand Hospital
• Tembisa Hospital
• Bertha Gxowa Hospital
• Yusuf Dadoo Hospital
• Tara H Moross Hospital

The six clinics with an identified asbestos hazard are all in the West Rand District, including the Fochville, Thusanang, Khutsong Ext 3, Fanyana Nhlapo, Kokosi and Itumeleng clinics.

At the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, there are asbestos cement walls at a number of buildings, including the medical and orthopaedic workshops, the Nthabiseng and Harriet Sheri clinics, the Mortuary administrative building, and the Laundry building.

The Far East Rand Hospital has a detailed list of 24 locations with asbestos, and 9 asbestos areas are identified at the Tambo Memorial Hospital.

There is asbestos in most of the roofing and ceilings at the George Mukhari Hospital, and at Tembisa Hospital there is asbestos in the ward ceilings, in the linen rooms, and in the tea room.

Four wards at the Yusuf Dadoo Hospital have asbestos cement.

The health danger to staff and patients is from microscopic asbestos fibres that can cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

According to the department, action to address the asbestos risk includes painting walls and ceilings at the Tambo Memorial Hospital, demolishing a building at the Far East Rand Hospital, and removing asbestos during renovations at the Tembisa Hospital.

Where the risk exposure is low and immediate elimination is not possible, the department claims that measures taken include proper maintenance and not disturbing the asbestos material, keeping a register, and ongoing monitoring.

It is worrying that there are so many asbestos locations at health facilities. Poor maintenance is a common problem in Gauteng hospitals, so it is hard to have confidence that the mitigation measures are properly done.

The DA will insist that there is accurate monitoring and action taken against any unacceptable risk of asbestos exposure in our health facilities.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health