Ramaphosa hails Steve Biko facility as the best in the world

President Cyril Ramaphosa was beyond impressed during his visit on June 24 to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital’s Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) centre.

The R500-million facility was opened in March last year after it took two years to be completed.

The centre is part of the Department of Science and Technology’s SA research infrastructure roadmap.

Rampahosa was accompanied by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

The high-level delegation toured key facilities, including the recently refurbished cardio-thoracic ward, the advanced catheterisation laboratory alongside the centre.

The visit also included engagements with healthcare professionals and a showcase of ongoing infrastructure upgrades and digital health initiatives.

NuMeRI’s main purpose is to facilitate research, innovation and value-generation in areas of country and region-specific health challenges.

Some of the functions the centre will offer include a clinical unit, radiopharmacy, basic and translational research, preclinical imaging, node of infection imaging, as well as a medical physics and radiobiology unit.

Ramaphosa said the Steve Biko facility was the best he had come across throughout his years in public service.

“The diversity I’ve seen here has been most impressive. One doesn’t go to many places, particularly in the private sector and see this type of diversity. You don’t often get it, and now I see it here in the public sector. Another factor that impressed me was the number of women in key positions as well,” he said.

The president also acknowledged the youth running facilities, saying they are the future of the country, and the centre will help propel them forward.

Ramaphosa hailed the facility for being the only centre in the continent with nuclear medical capabilities.

He also hailed the security of the facility and the diversity in geography regarding personnel, as well as the cleanliness of the facility.

“I think you have more hospitals than any other province, and you do have good hospitals in Gauteng, and I applaud you, Premier [Panyaza Lesufi] and MEC [Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko], for allocating money to get all these technological applications. I thank you for being foresightful and being addicted to technology, because it drives medical care in this day and age,” he said.

Ramaphosa added that the fact that Steve Biko receives so many referrals is why the facility stands as a model for what healthcare should look like going forward with National Health Insurance (NHI).

“I leave this place very impressed. I just saw world-class types of facilities that have been built. Even when one goes around the world, I haven’t seen such, and I’m usually impressed by technology most of the time. So when we say we have the best on the continent and possibly in the world, that is what we’ve seen here,” Ramaphosa said.

Lesufi expressed his appreciation for the level of technology the hospital boasts, saying it will turn the healthcare of the province and country around for the better.

“Mr President, we didn’t talk about the future, we walked with you to the future. We showed you the best medical equipment that no private hospital has in our province. It’s a proud moment indeed. As we reshape the public health system in Gauteng, we are addicted to new technologies. We are addicted to using innovative methods to turn around the public health in Gauteng. We remain the only province with this technology. One hospital at a time, we can build stronger, better healthcare facilities,” Lesufi said.

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