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The winter season is fast approaching. This, coupled with the continuing increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Gauteng, concerns of the pandemic overwhelming the health system are being urgently attended to, through an aggressive emergency construction plan.

The MEC for Infrastructure Development and Property Development Ms. Tasneem Motara and the Department of Infrastructure Development is ramping up the plans which include, among others, the increase existing hospital beds and wards. To date, MEC Motara has inspected eight construction sites of special COVID-19 quarantine wards in various health facilities across the province in anticipation of the expected severe COVID-19 cases that might require hospitalisation and self- quarantine.

Gauteng Province intends providing a total of 3056 beds within its portfolio of facilities, complemented by 1126 beds from external entities. The construction of special COVID-19 wards within existing hospitals and clinics follows a decision by the Gauteng Provincial Command Council to undertake an emergency operation of building additional health infrastructure space to accommodate the growing number of patients affected by the global pandemic. The Department of Health has raised concern that existing health facilities will not be able to cope with the expected demand.

“We are preparing for the worst case scenario and we are leaving nothing to chance. We are mindful of the potential impact of increased demand for health facilities and we are working tirelessly to be ready for any eventuality” says MEC Motara.

The following is a breakdown of the work done thus far:

-       Dozens of wards are being converted into intensive care units and isolation wards at the George Mukhari Hospital in Garankuwa where 13 wards are being refurbished, 

-       Two wards at the Tshwane District Hospital, in the Pretoria CBD.

-       Several wards have also been refurbished at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, in Soweto,

-       A ward at the Discoverers Community Health Centre in Florida has also been converted.

-       A 12-bed temporary quarantine facility has also been newly built Mamelodi Hospital, in Tshwane.

The initiative also includes:

-       The construction of additional space at external sites such as the 500-bed NASREC facility, in Johannesburg,

-       The 175-bed mothballed AngloGold Ashanti Hospital in Carletonville where major refurbishment by the provincial government is currently underway, through a lease arrangement. The AngloGold Ashanti Hospital refurbishment will consist of 22 wards.

Speaking earlier during the visit to the newly refurbished wards at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, MEC Motara said the four-pillar provincial strategy of building sufficient space in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic involves refurbishment of existing wards in hospitals and clinics, conversion of underutilised wards into dedicated facilities, the use of alternative construction methods to complement existing capacity, and acquiring additional space at external facilities.

The Acting Head of Department Mr. Richard Makhumisani said some of the projects will be ready for handover by the middle of May 2020, whilst the rest will also be accelerated in line with the required health infrastructure standards.

Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government