The Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital has taken a huge step forward in strengthening its cardiothoracic and vascular services.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, officially unveiled state-of-the-art medical equipment on December 9.

The unveiling is a critical milestone in the hospital’s ongoing modernisation drive aimed at improving access to high-quality specialised healthcare for communities across the province and beyond.

As a vital referral centre for Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West, the hospital plays a pivotal role in managing complex cardiac and vascular cases.

The new equipment, including a heart-lung machine, a refurbished angiography suite, and a cutting-edge angiogram machine, is expected to drastically enhance the facility’s clinical capacity and significantly reduce waiting times for life-saving procedures.

According to the Gauteng Department of Health, the new heart-lung machine will support both adult and paediatric open-heart surgeries, allowing the hospital to perform advanced cardiothoracic operations safely and efficiently.

This addition means that patients who previously had to be referred to other facilities for specialised heart surgery can now receive comprehensive care closer to home.

The upgraded angiography suite also marks a major improvement, enabling clinicians to conduct faster, minimally invasive interventions to diagnose and treat blocked arteries, strokes, aneurysms, and other vascular emergencies.

Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised the importance of the investment in improving patient outcomes and rebuilding trust in the public health system.

“This demonstrates the province’s commitment to modernising healthcare and improving patient outcomes, especially in historically underserved township communities.

“These machines are more than equipment, they are investments in lives, in hope and in the future of healthcare in Gauteng.”

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the advancements at the hospital come at a critical time as health systems globally emphasise the importance of timely access to modern medical technologies.

“The addition of this equipment aligns the hospital with global best practices while enhancing its role as a leading academic and specialist centre.”

This latest upgrade follows the MEC’s earlier visit in April, during which the hospital received new ICU beds, an MRI scanner, a CT scanner and Cath Lab improvements.

According to the department, these investments form part of a broader strategy to strengthen Gauteng’s healthcare infrastructure, enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide dignified, timely care across public facilities.

Nkomo-Ralehoko also extended appreciation to the private sector partners and sponsors who contributed to the project.

She noted that public-private partnerships remain essential in addressing budget constraints and improving health infrastructure nationwide.

“Public-private partnerships are crucial in the face of budget constraints. We are grateful to all partners who continue to walk this journey with us,” she said.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel