Pretoria - The completion of the Brits District Hospital, which offers quality health services that includes all stages of human development, is another good story to tell, says Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.
Officially opened on Friday, the high tech facility is a replacement hospital, which has seen the demolition of the old structure in 2008, to give way for the state-of-the-art building.
The R419 million hospital with 216 beds, provides services including accident, emergency and crisis centre; surgical and medical wards; paediatric and neonatal high care, kangaroo mother care, X-ray, step down facility; maternity, theatre, mortuary and laboratory services.
Delivering a keynote address during the celebratory event held at Brits Rugby Stadium, Minister Motsoaledi noted that the hospital is opened at a time when government wants to change the way health facilities are run in the country.
He promised that government will ensure that the hospital is run by competent people, who have health background and appropriate expertise to ensure that it is highly efficient and effective.
“Government would ensure that the hospital is inspected on a regular basis by a health committee. The inspection would include attitude of staff, waiting time, hygiene, safety and security, infection control and drug stock outs. This would become the standard by which we live every day,” said Minister Motsoaledi, before cutting the ribbon to unveil the plaque.
An excited Violet Manganyi, who was among the community members who came to witness the opening of the hospital, said the hospital will not only bring about improved quality of health care but will also go a long way in reducing crime in the area.
“People had to wake up in the early hours of the morning to avoid long queues at the old hospital, resulting in some of the people being mugged or even being raped,” said an elated 42-year-old Mangayi.
A 40-year-old, Refiloe Molao Ratsiepan said the new hospital is a relief because many people from Brits had to travel long distances to access health facilities at Dr George Mukhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa.
Acting North West Premier and MEC for Finance, Paul Sebegoe, said that government has developed the Health Sector Ten Point Plan to give direction in the implementation of the health mandate.
“Revitalisation of physical health infrastructure and improving quality of services are among the Ten Point Plan for Health,” said Sebegoe.
North West Health MEC Magome Masike said the electronic security surveillance cameras linked to access control system monitoring the entire facility on a 24-hour basis, would ensure the safety of patients and staff. – SAnews.gov.za
