Still no oxygen at KZN hospital

2008-07-17 11:13

Durban - The oxygen problem at Durban's Prince Mshiyeni Hospital has still not been sorted out, the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Sebe Zwane said there was oxygen in the tanks but that it was not being distributed.

"We don't know what the problem is."

The problem was believed to have started at 23:00 on Tuesday night.

Zwane said the department was on Thursday awaiting the arrival of an expert from Johannesburg.

The department stressed that the hospital was still operational but that emergency patients needing oxygen were being transferred to nearby hospitals.

Patients in the casualty, intensive care and neo-natal units were affected by the problem. Zwane warned that all emergency cases be taken to other hospitals in the meantime.

"We hope the problem will be sorted out as soon as possible."

- SAPA