Some KZN hospitals to be exempted from load shedding

This was announced by Health Minister Joe Phaahla, who is addressing the nation on Friday morning.

The decision to exempt province's hospitals is part of a national move that will also see other health facilities in the country guaranteed power during load shedding.

This follows increasing calls for hospitals to be exempt from blackouts as the country has been experiencing frequent load shedding at times as intense as stages 5 and 6.

READ: Stage 4 and 3 load shedding over the weekend

Phaahla outlined the exempted hospitals in KZN.

"Harry Gwala Hospital (former Edendale), Greys Hospital, Ladysmith Hospital, Prince Mshiyeni Hospital, RK Khan Hospital, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, McCords Hospital, King Dinizulu Hospital, Mandela Children`s Hospital, Mahatma Ghandi Hospital, Osindindisweni Hospital, St Aidans Hospital, Addington Hospital, Clairwood Hospital."

He says while the hospital exemptions are concentrated in eThekwini, there are plans to expand to other parts of KZN.

"As you can see in KZN it is largely in the eThekwini area, but we are working with the province and with Eskom to extend this to all the districts. We know that KZN has got 11 districts."