New ward for Tonga Hospital
NKOMAZI - The MEC for health in Mpumalanga, Sasekani Manzini, visited Tonga Hospital in the Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) to provide support and check on the progress of the newly built structure of the hospital in response to Covid-19 pandemic.
The MEC was accompanied by the Speaker of NLM, SJ Mashele.
The entourage was received by Tonga Hospital management, representatives from various organised labour, contractors, hospital board members and public works department officials.
The building of the structure is in line with government's efforts to implement and proactively tighten the Covid-19 response plan and to fight the scourge of the virus.
The construction of the dedicated Covid-19 ward is part of the province's plans to strengthen its healthcare system and to increase critical care beds and ventilators that will assist patients.
The ward consists of 26 high-care beds, 24 medium-risk beds and 25 low-risk beds for both male and female patients, as well as a nurses' station and doctors' offices, changing rooms, sanitising rooms, storerooms and an open waiting area.
The MEC also did a walkabout at the hospital to assess progress of the structure that will be handed over to the Deprtament of Health on Friday July 31.
She also checked the provision of healthcare services which has continued to run smoothly amid the pandemic.
Manzini was pleased to hear about the lifespan of the structure, which is above 50 years.
"It is a good story to tell indeed, because even after the pandemic the infrastructure will still be utilised for other healthcare services to the people.
"I'm also so pleased with the articulation by our organised labour for confirming the availability of personal protective equipment for of our front-line health workers," Manzini said.