Good news as province’s set to get more hospitals | Daily Sun

MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, who said these hospitals will bridge the healthcare gap in township areas. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola

OVER the years, Gauteng residents have been complaining about the poor service delivery they’ve been receiving at government hospitals.

The public complained about the lack of beds, overcrowding at hospitals, and a shortage of staff.

The Gauteng Health Department has confirmed that South Africa’s latest mid-year population estimates for 2024, released in July, show that Gauteng remains the most populous province with nearly 16 million residents calling the province their home.

This has resulted in an increased burden on the healthcare system, needing more healthcare infrastructure to cater for the growing needs of the population.

All that will be a thing of the past, the Department of Health says that plans are underway to ensure that Gauteng adds four new hospitals to the 37 it currently has. These hospitals will bridge the healthcare gap in township areas and address regional disparities in healthcare provision.

This follows the announcement made by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the State of the Province Address (Sopa) for the 7th administration on 15 August.

According to the departmental spokesman, Motaletale Modiba, the National Department of Health has approved the business case for Daveyton Hospital.

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“The Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency has been appointed to oversee the bulk engineering designs, site development plans, and architectural designs, with the aim to complete these by March 2025. The project has also received funding in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). Progress has been made on the Orange Farm Hospital project. Suitable land has been identified and land suitability investigations are nearing completion,” he said.

Modiba said that this project will address the healthcare needs of the Orange Farm community.

“While various land portions have been identified for Soshanguve Hospital, the land suitability is yet to be confirmed. The department is working with the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) to finalise land identification by the end of the current financial year. Land suitability investigations for the Diepsloot Hospital are also underway and are expected to be completed by the end of the financial year,” he added.

Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said that these hospitals will bridge the healthcare gap in township areas and address regional disparities in healthcare provision, which are a key step towards achieving their vision of a universal healthcare system.

“We’re confident that these projects will significantly contribute to the successful implementation of NHI in Gauteng,” the MEC said.