Netcare Pholoso – official opening of top class hospital

Partnership between private and public health took centre stage during the official opening of Netcare Pholoso Hospital with several speakers alluding to the fact that the best interests of the residents of Polokwane would be better served by the state and health care companies working together.
Netcare Pholoso Hospital had been serving residents of the city since 21 September last year, but last Thursday hosted the official opening at the hospital in Eland Avenue.
Hospital manager Sydney Masalla was in charge of the programme running smoothly and had guests in stitches with his sharp wit and quick retorts to speakers’ quips.
The proceedings kicked off with Premier Stan Mathabatha cutting the ribbon, followed by a short welcome by Godfrey Phakoago, Founder and Director of the Pholoso Hospital Group.
Thembi Nkadimeng, Executive Mayor of Polokwane followed and said the incredible growth experienced in Polokwane made a new hospital a necessity. She said her dream was for all hospitals, both public and private, to uphold the high standards and state of the art development that Netcare Pholoso showcased.
Chief Executive Officer of Netcare, Richard Friedland said the hospital group is committed to establish a footprint in Limpopo in order to enhance health care. He explained that the 15 years that it took for the hospital to be built, due to court proceedings from entities who tried to stop this development. “The fact that we were willing to wait and work on this project for such a long time, shows our commitment to Limpopo.”
He also spoke about a partnership between private and public health care to improve the quality of care in Limpopo and said patients’ dignity and respect for all human beings lie at the core of Netcare’s principles.
Friedland thanked Phakoago for fighting on the hospital’s behalf and said none of this development would be possible without the hospital’s board and personnel who worked very hard to make it the best hospital in Limpopo.
Health MEC Phopi Ramathuba had the honour to introduce the keynote speaker of the day, Mathabatha, and made use of this opportunity to place the emphasis on the fact that she was the MEC of Health and not public health alone. She also said partnerships between government and private practice was the answer to the province’s health issues.
Mathabatha congratulated the team behind Netcare Pholoso on their spirit of perseverance and said he could not over emphasise the importance of this hospital.
He also stressed that each government department had a role to play in the totality of health care and the input of private companies are most welcome.
Mathabatha said the hospital was a huge economic injection for Limpopo and thanked each person involved for their hard work. “Anything that brings jobs to our people is a good and welcome development,” he said in closing.

Featured Photo: Marki Franken – Premier Stan Mathabatha prepares to cut the ribbon and to officially declare Netcare Pholoso Hospital open last Thursday. 

MARKI FRANKEN
>>marki.observer@gmail.com