The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) would like to inform the public that the supply of steam at Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH) has been restored. 

This follows the announcement made last week Tuesday of a breakdown on the steam generating boilers at the hospital, affecting some of the steam-dependent services at the hospital and nearby facilities such as Tshwane District Hospital, Pretoria Oral and Dental Hospital and Tshwane Rehabilitation Hospital. 

At the time of the announcement, the Department indicated that it expected a third boiler to be online within a couple of days. The dual fired boiler (uses gas and light fuel) has been functional since Friday (21 April 2023). The first coal boiler is undergoing statutory preparation and is expected to be back online between May/June 2023. 

The second coal boiler was shut down last week and is currently offline pending repair work. 

The steam is used within the operational environment for various purposes such as the central air-conditioning (cooling) and air heaters, cooking, hot water, autoclaving, refrigeration and freezers amongst other services. 

The GdoH is relieved that the breakdown of the steam generating boilers had minimal impact on the provision of healthcare services to in and outpatients. 

We are working with our sister department to ensure that we bring the other boiler back online so that we always have backup. The Department would like to thank the public for their understanding during this period. 

Ends/ 

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health