Lodging prescribed for med students

GOvErNmENT

Students working day and night to make their mark in the health profession now have a place to call home thanks to government.

This follows the handover of staff acommodation to health workers at the Thelle Mokgoarane hospital in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni. Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa and Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo handed over the R270 million development. Staff now have access to 300 rooms for students, 50 rooms for intern bachelors and 20 two-bedroom units. It will ensure that students are able to live closer to work and rest when they are not on shift.

“We are very excited about the residence and I think it’s a step in the right direction to ensure that our healthcare workers are well taken care of,” said Hospital CEO Dr Nomonde Mqhayi-Mbambo.

“They tend to work long hours and need accommodation that is close to their workplace.”

The facility also has a crèche that accommodates 50 children from various age groups, and a 250-seater multi-purpose hall and a training centre.

The construction phase saw 679 locals being employed. “We are happy to have absorbed so many people in the workstream during the construction of this building. Student nurse Phokoen Matlala said that he and his colleagues are grateful for the accommodation.

“I’m sure I speak for others when I say it’s convenient because after working a 12hour shift one gets to go to the accommodation and just relax instead of sitting in traffic,” said Matlala.