New hospital welcomes first baby

Thursday, August 21, 2014

By More Matshediso

Pretoria - The newly built Natalspruit Hospital has welcomed a new life on the first day of its operations.

A baby boy, Mohamed, weighing 3.950kg was delivered healthy, without complications, on Monday morning, at the new facility.

The state-of-the-art hospital has opened its doors to offer services to residents of Katlehong, Thokoza and Voslorus. The three neighbouring communities together form the acronym - KATHORUS.

Baby Mohamed’s mother, Nonzwakazi Msindo of Palm Ridge in Ekurhuleni, was relocated with other patients on the day, from the old hospital to the new facility, in Vosloorus.

Holding her son with a smile, Msindo said she was honoured that her son was the first baby to be born at the hospital.

“This is a historic moment for both of us. The relocation on Monday was smooth with no hassles. I would like to thank all the staff members that assisted me in the delivery of my baby,” she said.

The Acting CEO of the hospital, Dr Patricia Africa, commended the maternity ward staff that delivered the baby.

“While we are still settling in our staff is seeing patients, this birth bears testimony to that. I take my hat off to the maternity ward personnel for the swift delivery of this baby. This is a beginning of a new era in terms of service delivery for Kathorus community,” said Africa.

“As you would know, moving house is quite a complex process, so we plead with community to bear with us until we have settled down, but we will not turn any patients away,” she added.

The regional hospital is furnished with 821 beds, and will be officially opened on 28 August.

It is set to offer services such as family planning, 24 hours casualty, speech and language therapy, ophthalmology, radiography and eye, nose and throat clinic, among other services. - SAnews.gov.za