Somebody didn't care: how Grey's Hospital's failing air con became a surgical emergency episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 5 MIN

Somebody didn't care: how Grey's Hospital's failing air con became a surgical emergency

from Daily Maverick · host Daily Maverick

Grey's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg is a surgical lifeline for 4.5 million people across western KwaZulu-Natal. For years, its ageing air conditioning system has been breaking down, forcing surgery cancellations and endangering patients. The department knew. It had a plan. The plan failed. Now it has another plan.  Reporting by: Craig Bentley-McKune  Edits and animation by:  Joel Seboa Filmed by: Joel Seboa  Produced by: Emilie Gambade  Creative input by: Malibongwe Tyilo  Sub-edited by: Ian Wolstenholme Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://tinyurl.com/SupportDailyMaverick Subscribe to our channel:    / @dailymavericksa   Follow us on X : https://x.com/dailymaverick Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dailymaverick Check our website: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/dailymaverick/ Check out our TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@dailymavericksa Download Daily Maverick Mobile App: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/daily... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grey's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg is a surgical lifeline for 4.5 million people across western KwaZulu-Natal. For years, its ageing air conditioning system has been breaking down, forcing surgery cancellations and endangering patients. The department knew. It had a plan. The plan failed. Now it has another plan.

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Somebody didn't care: how Grey's Hospital's failing air con became a surgical emergency

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Grey's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg is a surgical lifeline for 4.5 million people across western KwaZulu-Natal. For years, its ageing air conditioning system has been breaking down, forcing surgery cancellations and endangering patients. The...

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