MEC for Health in Gauteng Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko announced various interventions which have been embarked upon by her department recently.
Briefing the media during her visit to the Mamelodi Regional Hospital on Thursday, Nkomo-Ralehoko said the following:
“We are here to provide a comprehensive update on the interventions to upgrade and maintain the healthcare facility infrastructure projects in the province.”
Nkomo-Ralehoko admitted upfront that the unsatisfactory state of infrastructure facilities at various hospitals in Gauteng has dominated the public discourse.
“We understand and acknowledge concerns raised and would like to take the public into our confidence that we are taking active steps to address these issues,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
She said in preparation for the implementation of the NHI, the health department recognises the urgency of upgrading existing facilities and constructing new ones to meet increasing 8 healthcare demands.
“We are officially unveiling five newly refurbished areas and three wards here at the Mamelodi Regional Hospital and these projects will significantly ease the pressure on the hospital, allowing us to care for more patients,” she said.
“In Tshwane Health District we have made progress in ensuring that our facilities are refurbished,” she said.
“Starting with Mamelodi Regional Hospital, today we hand over the refurbished Radiology Department, ART waiting area, offices of heads of department, eye clinic, rest rooms, Triage and casualty waiting area,” said the MEC.
She revealed that in addition to this, three wards have been extended, namely the female medical Ward, male surgical Ward and the Paediatric Ward so as to increase the bed capacity and accommodate more patients.
“At the Steve Biko Academic Hospital all entrances have been refurbished, two new clinics have constructed in Mandisa Siceka and Kekanastad and the Boikhutsong Day clinic in Soshanguve is 80% complete,” she said.
She added that renovations were nearing completion of at the Eersterust Community Health Centre and also at the Dental Unit of Stanza Bopape Community Health Centre.
“The refurbishment of Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal is our top priority and currently we are renovating Ward 5, 6 and 7 there, as well as public ablution facilities.
She said new forensic medical services facilities have been constructed in Hammanskraal and Midland, adding that plans were underway to build four new hospitals in Soshanguve, Daveyton, Orange Farm and Diepsloot.
According to MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko, other health care spheres of concern in Gauteng which will receive immediate attention are queue management strategies, Project Picture Archiving and Communication System as well as digitalisation of patient s records.