Big migration to CMH’s new state-of-the-art site in progress

ADMINISTRATION staff at Mdantsane’s Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CHM) have begun the move to their multibillion-rand state-of-the-art new building situated near the old building.

It has been months since the new part of the hospital was officially opened by Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle in March.

The 560-bed hospital is on the same site as the old hospital.

Yesterday, CMH CEO Dr Mthandeki Xhamlashe, together with some managers, moved from the old building.

He said patients would move into the new hospital wards from September 5.

“This week, our administration staff will be moving in. Our migration plans entail safety in the movement of patients, a reduction of patients and the participation of neighbouring hospitals, such as Grey Hospital in King William’s Town, Frere Hospital in East London and Nkqubela TB Hospital in Mdantsane. This is all meticulously planned.”

Next week, the learning centre staff will move in.

Xhamlashe said there would be several units that would remain in the old hospital. These include family medicine, dental, radiography and mental health. New units that would join these four units are the midwifery and obstetrics unit and the Mdantsane EMS base.

“Even our helipad has been tested and approved.

“It is fully automated. We are proud of our facilities,” Xhamlashe added.

Nurses Thobeka Kewana, Khayakazi Mbejeni and Nokuzola Mande were some of the people who were scouting the new surroundings when the Dispatch team visited yesterday morning.

“Our nurses are very excited about moving into the new building. Even when we were orientating them and training them with the new equipment, they showed eagerness to learn,” Kewana said.

The new CMH building, which took 10 years to build, cost the state R1.6billion. Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha was built for just R500-million. — siyat@dispatch.co.za