With the constant change in load-shedding schedules, Free State hospitals, namely Universitas, the National District Hospital, and the Free State Psychiatric Complex have been exempted from load-shedding. The Free State Department of Health has also submitted a list of other facilities to be considered for exemption.
According to the spokesperson of the Department of Health, Mondli Mvambi, the exemption may not be immediate as there are public infrastructure changes that must be effected to move the hospitals from municipal lines to Eskom lines.
“To avert the current wave of load-shedding, the Free State Department of Health has installed standby generators at all hospitals and community health centres (CHC) to have backup power in the event there is load-shedding,” said Mvambi.
Futhermore, Mvambi said that the provincial department, in collaboration with the national Department of Health, is going to install alternative energy (solar) backups at the Moroka Hospital, Pelonomi Hospital, Bongani Hospital and Manapo Hospital.
“The department also has an electrical framework contract in place to attend to all power-related failures experienced at our facilities,” concludes Mvambi.
Compiled by Bonolo Moloi
