Charlotte Maxeke hospital re-opens emergency units

“The detection system is centrally connected, so we will know even before anybody else notices that there is a fire. The alarm and detection systems will be so significantly improved that it will allow for earlier detection and enable ability to react in an appropriate manner.” rent RICA laws in protecting South Africans against fraud,” Geva said.

Johannesburg - Following a long period of closure after a fire gutted the Charlotte Maxeke hospital, its casualty unit was reopened on Monday, with new fire alert and prevention systems installed.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla and senior health officials conducted an on-site inspection on the progress in repairs to the health facility.

Only transfers of patients from neighbouring facilities will be allowed as ambulance services are not functional owing to the absence of the CT scan, which was vandalised.

Phaahla said some parts had to be imported, which has taken some time.

Icasa said stricter security measures are required to curb hijacking of mobile phone numbers through porting or SIM swap, among others.

How mobile operators manage biometric data would still be subject to strict privacy laws laid out in the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines.

Geva said raw biometric data would not be stored, so the information is encrypted and nontransferable.

“There is concern that biometric data can be used for other means once captured by the service provider. But there is little difference from what customers provide to financial institutions,” he said.

Motorist killed in spike attack

Pretoria - Following a recent incident in which a motorist was shot dead along the N4 highway in Pretoria police have warned motorists to be vigilant when driving in that area.

A motorist was killed after his car reportedly drove over spikes placed by criminals targeting motorists on the road.

Akasia police spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said last Saturday the motorist was found with gunshot wounds on his upper and lower body.

“A man who had been driving a green Audi was killed, and the car was found with no front tyres and keys. The motive of the man’s murder is unknown at this stage and a case of murder is under investigation. We appeal to anyone who may have information of the perpetrators to come forward,” Mabasa said.

Last year the Tshwane Metro Po- lice Department (TMPD) warned motorists to be vigilant when driving on the N4 highway due to an increase in the use of spikes to puncture car tyres by criminals.

In May last year spokesperson Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said TMPD officers found a motorist stranded on the highway after one of his vehicle’s wheels was punctured after driving over spikes on the road near the Solomon Mahlangu Drive off-ramp.

“The motorist said he heard the puncture after driving over something that looked like a plastic bag, he was fortunately not robbed. The spikes are usually placed by criminals to force vehicles to stop after driving over them. These perpetrators then attack the motorists, especially at night and in the early hours of the morning. The targeted areas are mostly highways and quiet roads,” Mahamba said.

“Some components only arrived in the country this morning, so they are now working on that CT scan as it also has to be calibrated. These are sophisticated machines as most of the time CT scans are needed with patients who have not been processed anywhere else,” he said.

He added that several mental health patients have been transferred to the facility.

“Most equipment and machines have been installed and the process of transferring more serious patients will begin. This is a central and important level of service, and also as an academic hospital, its focus is in terms of priority one and two patients, it is meant to look after complicated patients,” he said.

Head of the Disaster Committee Professor Steve Moeng said new measures are aimed at mitigating the impact of any future fires.

They include reinforcing the walls between different sections, so that the heat can be contained, and an early detection system to indicate the location of a fire, he explained.

“The detection system is centrally connected, so we will know even before anybody else notices that there is a fire. The alarm and detection systems will be so significantly improved that it will allow for earlier detection and enable ability to react in an appropriate manner. There is also a new telephone system that connects the hospital to a control centre, from which different emergency services can be deployed. There is also a link between the alarm and the fire detection systems to the smoke control doors, so that not only can we manage the heat, but can also control the smoke so that it does not circulate throughout the hospital,” Moeng said.

Residents are advised to avoid fire incidents

Safety tips on heating devices this winter

Johannesburg - The City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has advised residents to exercise caution when handling heating devices this winter.

In this EMS shared safety tips for heating devices.

It said when using an electric heater, place the heater on a flat surface away from anything flammable.

“Plug the heater directly into an outlet and avoid using an extension cord. Never leave a heater unattended and turn it off before going to bed. Choose an electric heater that has an automatic safety switch that turns the heater off if it is tipped over,” it said.

It advised that when operating a gas heater do not use aerosol or solvents near the heater, as they are highly flammable.

“Only move the gas heater when it is switched off; moving it while it is on could cause a gas leak, which may result in an explosion. Always ensure that the room in use is well ventilated. Make sure all parts of the gas heater are in good condition, and service it regularly. Always replace worn-out or defective tubing and regulators.

Trust your nose, if you suspect that you smell a gas leak, chances are it actually is. Cut off the gas at the cylinder first and get it checked.” When using a brazier, imbawula, or coal stoves to keep warm, note that this can result in killer gas such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, which are not easily detected.

“Take the imbawula outside when preparing to sleep. Never leave the brazier burning, always extinguish the coals with water when it is not in use.”

In case of a fire call the EMS number 011 375 5911 or 112.