Premier opens new high-tech R1.9bn CMH

THE launch of the new R1.9-billion Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in the heart of Mdantsane has been described as a giant step towards providing superb healthcare.

Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle officially opened the 560bed hospital next to the old Cecilia Makiwane Hospital yesterday,

“This hospital compares with the best you can find in the country,” he said. “Once everything is fully operational, it’s going to bring quite a world of difference to the people of Mdantsane,” he said.

The premier, together with Health MEC Dr Pumza Dyantyi, received the keys to the building and a construction certificate to cheers from 80 staff, dignitaries – and a large choir. The new state-of-the-art hospital is built in line with the proposed National Health Insurance plan to provide topquality infrastructure to citizens.

The hospital is expected to begin operating in the next two months.

Another objective of the hospital is to provide a technologically advanced environment with specialised units and computerised features which will fast-track the process of diagnosing and treating patients.

Masualle said the hospital would offer a qualitative leap for the communities it served.

“We do all the things that we do because we care about our people,” he said. “From a healthcare perspective, what we witness here today is a radical difference to healthcare provision.”

New services include renal dialysis, orthopaedic and other surgery, upgraded maternity, neonatal and paediatric wards, and a neonatal intensive care unit, to provide patients with a high level of healthcare.

It will use imaging technologies to ensure faster diagnosis, and identify and process referral cases and prescriptions quicker.

Dyantyi said the final product had exceeded expectations.

“We have moved to a 560-bed hospital, and we are hoping that the 40 more beds will be used for mental health patients, which is one of the problems in the province and in the country at large,” she said.

“The equipment here will work fast to discover what’s wrong with the patient, and what must be done to best help them,” she added.

The new hospital has improved laundry and kitchen facilities, as well as tighter security.

Sakhiwo Health Solutions constructed the innovative building, which took seven years to complete.

Sakhiwo CEO Dr Nomsa Dlamini said the new hospital was an incredible upgrade compared with the old Cecilia Makiwane building.

“It is designed to ensure that doctors, patients and staff members will be secure. The helipad on the roof means that people outside the province will be able to access the hospital.”

The maternity ward will be the first to move into the new building.

The old structure will not be demolished, but will strength health service delivery in the country.

Dyantyi said they planned to use the old hospital as a mental health facility and for specialised TB wards. —