WATCH: Shortage of funds brought action at Kempton Park Hospital to a standstill
“The current hospital can contain 280 patients and we are looking at 400 beds with two extra theatres,” said MEC Bandile Masuku.
A shortage of funds seems to be the reason why nothing has been done about Kempton Park Hospital yet.
This was according to newly-appointed Gauteng MEC of Health, Dr Bandile Masuku, at a community meeting at the hospital on Saturday last week.
According to Masuku, Government decided in 2017 that the hospital would be demolished.
“It was found that refurbishing and rebuilding would almost cost the same. The decision to demolish and rebuild was then taken, as it would be more cost-effective,” said Masuku.
“The problem came when the budget ran into a deficit and the department had to halt all new infrastructure developments for the 2017/2018 financial year.
“One of the pressures we are dealing with is how we can fund this infrastructure development. We also realised that our facilities need a lot of renovations, not this one only.
“There is a commitment to establish a health facility here and funding options, which might involve private-public partnerships, might be engaged.
“To rebuild a district hospital here would cost around R1.4-billion, while renovations would be R1-billion. It would be a waste of money to renovate but we can rebuild it and make it a modern hospital and suitable for National Health Insurance (NHI).”
Demolishing the hospital didn’t sit well with some of the residents, who felt there was a significant difference between the figures.
Some also felt the structure was still in a good condition and could be renovated, which might be quicker than demolition.
Also read:
• “Haunted” Kempton hospital to be demolished after years of toing and froing and millions wasted
• R127-million allocated to demolish Kempton Park Hospital
• KEMPTON HOSPITAL: a look inside the delapidated ‘haunted’ building
• Kempton Hospital’s reopening delayed to 2017
After questions, Masuku said: “I am noting the interest to have a hospital as soon as possible, whether revamped or rebuilt. The current hospital can contain 280 patients and we are looking at 400 beds with two extra theatres,” he said.
“We might also look at doctors in private hospitals to assist.
“We don’t want to have a small and temporary solution but a strong, long-term solution.
“We need to stand united for this project. NHI can’t happen without you getting involved. We want things to be localised and we are tired of importing because when we do, we don’t create jobs.
“We need community involvement,” he added.
“I have noted all questions and suggestions and will take them to the premier to say the people of Kempton Park want a hospital as soon as possible, regardless of the model used.”
