Plans for a new hospital that will serve the areas of Klipfontein, Gugulethu and Nyanga are in place, pending site approval.
This is according to Health Minister Joe Phaahla, who confirmed the new facility during questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
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Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Susan Thembekwayo reportedly asked him about the department’s plans to build a larger regional hospital after the GF Jooste Hospital in Manenberg was decommissioned in 2013.
Thembekwayo also questioned the department about its intentions to enhance healthcare facilities in the region to cater to the community’s requirements.
Phaahla explained that the decommissioning of GF Jooste Hospital was due to its inability to provide services. As a result, many patients were moved to the Mitchells Plain Hospital.
‘Some of the services were diverted to nearby Heideveld community health centre, especially the emergency services.’
He added that at the time, the provincial government committed to build a new hospital by 2019. As reported by IOL, this did not happen.
‘They have been upgrading other facilities such as the Hanover Park community health centre and some work is going on in Nyanga.
‘There is a particular budget committed in Gugulethu, which is also under a lot of pressure because it has lots of clients and is also in a confined area not easy to upgrade and expand, but the province is looking for an alternative site.
‘We prefer a situation [where] where possible, an upgrade must be done at an existing facility. That is where, in most cases, unless you find an adjacent site, a facility can be constructed. We prefer to upgrade where they exist.’
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Phaahla says the province tends to several areas to ensure that more services can be provided. ‘At this stage, the province is committed to building a new hospital.
‘A site has been identified and once there are necessary financial resources, they will be able to start. The planning part of the new hospital has already been completed.’
When questioned about the allocation of the R2.2 billion for phase one of the new hospital, Phaahla explained that the funds were designated for professional service work planning. ‘It is almost complete in terms of the design phase,’ he said, adding that he will investigate the amount of R2.2 billion.
He also added that the planning phase for a new hospital could account for 15% of the total project cost, and the R2 billion budget would cover the entire expenses for the health facility.
‘That number is quite unlikely but I am sure the member can provide me with the source. I will go back to investigate but as far as I can assure the House the services of design and engineer as informed by the province is complete,’ he said.
‘They are finalising issues of a new site approval to be able to procure services for construction.’
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Picture: Oluwaseyi Johnson / Unsplash