Health minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has described the official opening of the R680 million Sipetu Hospital in Ntabankulu, under the Alfred Nzo District Municipality, as a demonstration that government was taking healthcare seriously.
Phaahla, together with Eastern Cape premier, Oscar Mabuyane, and Eastern Cape Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, officially opened the hospital on July 28.
The facility boasts highly-developed in-patient services comprising ultra-modern 100 bedded general wards, paediatric ward, antenatal and post-natal wards.
There is also a 20-bed infectious diseases ward, functionally flexible operating theatres that accommodate a variety of operating procedures, a high-tech radiology department and staff accommodation, as well as a new helipad to cater for emergency referrals.
He added that the new hospital will help the government in the implementation of the National Health Insurance.
Eastern Cape premier, Oscar Mabuyane, called for maintaining the state-of-the-art hospital infrastructure and ensuring the competence of hospital leadership, particularly the chief executive officers.
“Sipetu Hospital exemplifies the calibre of infrastructure we aspire to maintain across all our health institutions. This new standard requires diligent management and up-keep to ensure the long-term functionality and effectiveness of our healthcare system. Our hospital CEOs are the critical pillars of our healthcare system,” said Mabuyane.
According to Mabuyane, the construction of the hospital had a positive socio-economic impact on the residents of surrounding communities as it created 2 282 jobs, with 60 percent of those job opportunities benefiting the youth of that area.
“Local suppliers were also not left out, as more than 50 SMMEs were appointed for various work packages during the construction project,” Mabuyane added.
The new R680 million Sipetu Hospital replaces the old and dilapidated facility that was built by Dutch Missionaries around 1976.
The newly-built hospital was officially opened on July 28.
