Kempton Hospital open to ghosts hunters only

Kempton Park Hospital has become an attraction for ghost hunters as numerous residents feel there is an urgent need for this hospital to reopen.

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This as pressure grows on surrounding hospitals, while the Kempton Park Hospital remains a shell of its potential self.

In articles published by the Express over the years, numerous undertakings were highlighted to reopen the hospital.

The death of 10 babies in the overcrowded Tembisa Hospital in 2019 highlighted the need for a medical facility to serve the Kempton Park and Thembisa areas.

The 10 deaths resulted in renewed interest in plans for the Kempton structure and yet, years later the building still stands abandoned and unused.

Many believe the use of the Kempton Hospital will relieve the pressure on Tembisa and Edenvale hospitals as Kempton Pack residents have to travel outside their area to seek medical care when visiting government hospitals.

Edenvale Hospital welcomed the idea of another hospital in its neighbouring area.

“South Africa has an increasing population. It has been shown over the years that facilities like Edenvale Hospital, built to accommodate a smaller catchment, cannot accommodate the high volume of patients.

“This is the case for us and many other facilities in South Africa,” said Mkhatshwa Thabile, Edenvale Hospital Media Liaison.

Following Mkahtshwa’s statement, Express approached the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), DOH and the DID in July of this year.

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CoE referred the Express to the Gauteng Department of Health. Gauteng DOH media liaison Vuyo Sabani said refurbishment and construction of the hospital fall under the authority of the Department of Infrastructure Development and Property Management.

Express was referred to the spokesperson of that department, Bongiwe Gambu.

DID media liaison Bongiwe Gambu said the department does not have any record of work done at the abandoned health facility.

She added that the decision to close the hospital was made by the Department of Health and the reasons for the closure are not known to the DID.

“Even if we agree that the Kempton Park Hospital needs to be rehabilitated due to the need for health facilities, the client department has not said anything to us.

“There is nothing we can do.

“The Department of Health should tell you what plans they have for the hospital and that if there are any plans, what the deadlines are because something as big as the Kempton Park facility has to go out on tender,” said Gambu.

“We don’t deal with something that is not on paper. I am not aware of any apex projects at the Kempton Park Hospital.

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The only thing we have been doing concerning facilities like the Kempton Park Hospital is to provide security,” said Gambu.

“They should take responsibility for the hospital.

“They should state the reasons they closed it in the first place, and why it remains closed even now with no plan whatsoever.

“We can’t move without the Department of Health’s go-ahead,” said Gambu.

Express again approached Sabani.

“The Department of Health does not close or open facilities. It’s a partnership between us and the DID.

“We cannot, on our own, decide that we are going to open this facility, but their side must engage us on the matter.

“And right now, there are no plans for the hospital. This matter has been deliberated for the past four or five years,” said Sabani.

This statement was then followed by the head of communications at the HOD, Motalatale Modiba, stating that no decision has been made on this Kempton facility and that when a decision is made, the department will announce it.

In the Gauteng Health Department Budget for 2022/23, the MEC of Health Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi tabled that the provision of quality health services is highly reliant on the functioning healthcare infrastructure for patient care.

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“Appropriate health infrastructure is a significant pillar to support the fundamental objectives of promoting improved standards of care and well-being of patients.

“To meet this expectation, a total of R2.3b in the 2022/23 financial year is allocated to implement health infrastructure projects,” said Mokgethi.

She said these projects were directed at the construction of new facilities and the rehabilitation, upgrade and maintenance of existing facilities.

The Express sent an inquiry to the office of the MEC on August 17, requesting comment by August 18.

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