WATCH: Dr Joe Phaahla on Impact of Loadshedding on Health Services

South African Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla said the department would be introducing a power mix into its facilities to reduce the effects of load shedding on hospitals and healthcare facilities.

This will be implemented from the next financial year.

Phaahla said the department would be pleading with parliament to avail funds due to “unforeseen” effects of the current energy crisis.

“A detailed work is being done to make sure that in the future, all our hospitals should have a mix, including solar panels and an array of batteries. Storage batteries, which should be able to contribute uninterrupted power supply,” he said.

He has also reportedly been in engagements with (Minister of Public Enterprises) Pravin Gordhan, Eskom and municipalities on the processes followed in order to exempt health facilities from load shedding.

He said that no lives had been lost at a hospital or healthcare facility due to load shedding.