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Phone lines remain down at 11 hospitals
A telecommunications dispute between the Gauteng Health Department and Telkom
continues to disrupt phone services at major hospitals across the province.
Last month, Telkom disconnected lines at 83 clinics and 32 hospitals, citing unpaid invoices
from the Health Department. While the department has processed current payments this
week, 11 hospitals still lack functioning phone lines.
The affected facilities include nationally important academic hospitals like Chris Hani
Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, Steve Biko, and Weskoppies psychiatric
institution. This hampers communication between patients, staff, and emergency services.
“We are paying the current invoices despite our dispute over discrepancies in billing for
facilities we don’t operate,” said Health Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba.
“Restoring communication is the priority while we resolve the billing issues with Telkom.”
Both sides accuse the other of delayed payments and unclear invoicing practices. The
disconnection has caused widespread disruption, forcing hospitals to rely on cellphones and
other backup communication methods.
Healthcare workers’ unions have sharply criticized the protracted dispute, arguing that
interrupted services jeopardize patient care and safety. Modiba stated the Department aims
to have all lines restored in the coming days.