​Qaqambile Mdledle​
The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) will resume its services on 3 May 2021, following a blaze that saw two blocks of the hospital significantly damaged. 
The fire broke out at the Special Dispensary Stores and spread to various sections of the parking lot multi-storey structure, causing significant damage to the building on 16 April 2021.
Gauteng Provincial Government spokesperson, Thabo Masebe said a preliminary assessment of the building had been conducted to determine the extent of the damage.
"The preliminary report revealed that the fire had affected Block 3 and 4 of the hospital. The two blocks shall remain closed until engineers complete a detailed structural assessment," he said.
Masebe said that a phased approach will be implemented by the government, guided by the assessment and plan of the clinicians, engineers and occupational health and safety team.
"The rest of the hospital, which was not affected by the fire, is being prepared for the resumption of services and the return of patients. All patients will be transferred during the weekend of 01 – 02 May and the hospital will resume services from Monday, 03 May 2021," he said.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development and Property Management said after the fire was fully extinguished, it conducted a visual assessment on what was needed to be done.
"A decision was made to prop the collapsed slab to allow SAPS to conduct their fire investigation, which includes forensic investigations," said the department spokesperson Bongiwe Gambu.
Gambu further placed on record the current statistics of the fire protection services in the hospital.
"Fire protection systems, such as hydrants, extinguishers, and hose reels, are inspected monthly. These were last inspected in March 2021. There is a total of 1 003 firefighting equipment in the hospital area and 50 in the administration block, excluding the nurses' residence and the admin blocks," she said.
In addition, the provincial government further commended the work of healthcare workers in the various health facilities, firefighters, clinicians, and the staff and management of the hospital, for going beyond the call of duty to ensure patients' safety.