Limpopo’s largest mental health facility on track

POLOKWANE- Construction at the new Netcare Akeso Polokwane mental health facility has resumed and is on par with planning despite inclement weather.

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According to Akeso’s infrastructure programme manager Matthew Scott, significant progress has been made on site with the completion of the bulk earthworks and the near completion of the installation of the bulk services, following the formal site handover to the main contractor in July 2024.

Concrete placement has also begun with the commencement of the concrete footings, columns, surface beds, lift shaft and the foundation for the on-site back-up water tank. Concrete placement has progressed to first floor level and it is anticipated that the rooftop level on the various sections of the structure will be reached between March and June.

“Although the team has experienced a few challenges on site, encountering hard rock and the excessive rainfall of recent weeks, the team is progressing well and is focused on achieving the milestones set out in our construction programme. Maintaining the current momentum, we aim to be on schedule for an inspection by the Department of Health, and set an opening date in early 2026,” Scott confirmed.

According to Jonita Steyl of the developer group, Networth Group, the appointed contractor is Raubex Building who was appointed post a tender process and various due diligence investigations by the Networth Group and Netcare Akeso.

The appointment of a well-known construction company and other service providers from the community is set to invigorate the local economy while promoting job creation and community development.

Steyl added that the support of local labour and the involvement of local SMME’s and QSE’s is a priority for the team, and it is being monitored regularly.

She confirmed that construction commenced on July 17 last year, and that the team is on schedule for completion at the end of November 2025. The project is a strategic partnership between Netcare Akeso, the mental health division of the Netcare Group, and two Limpopo doctors who paved the way for the establishment of a new psychiatric facility in Polokwane to significantly enhance private mental healthcare capacity in the province.

The new facility is being developed in phases, with the first phase comprising 87 beds for inpatient admissions, including 15 adolescent beds, as well as 18 consulting rooms for doctors and allied professionals, providing a comfortable setting for outpatient mental health services.

“Just 1.5km away from Netcare Pholoso Hospital, the 1.5-hectare site allows for synergy between the new facility and the hospital’s level II trauma centre. Designed for future expansion, its strategic location perfectly meets the growing mental healthcare needs of the provincial capital,” according to Scott.

“The concept for Netcare Akeso Polokwane originated in 2019 but was temporarily delayed during the pandemic. The need for mental health services has further increased globally and in the region,” Scott explained and added that, once in operation, Netcare Akeso Polokwane’s core team of experts will include psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and a social worker, supported by skilled and experienced nursing staff.

The land for the development was obtained from Polokwane Municipality in terms of a long-term lease.