Chiller upgrade for Murchison Hospital
Now, surgical procedures can be conducted in the two theatres without disruptions.
Murchison Hospital will now be able to do surgical procedures under more conducive climate conditions after a R5.7m upgrade.
According to the MEC for KZN Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, previously procedures had to be put on hold as the climate conditions could not be controlled or achieved due to an outdated HVAC system (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).
Meyer visited the hospital recently to conduct an inspection.
The renovations were carried out by his department, and it now means that surgical procedures can be conducted in the two theatres without disruptions.
According to the MEC, a chiller was built which will now allow the theatre to provide urgent care, which it couldn’t provide before.
“Even small projects like these are important to us to get right because this helps run the hospital more efficiently. I’m proud of what I’ve seen here today, and that our department is improving.”
He added that the project cost slightly over R5.7m because some material was imported from Germany, and a delay caused a little overrun in the cost.
Medical manager and acting hospital CEO, Dr Simlatha Lachman, said the function of the chiller is to keep the theatres cool, to allow for optimal operations.
“While we mainly do C-sections, we will now be able to do orthopaedic cases as well. This is a game-changer for us and we are hoping to increase our operation base.”
Lachman also asked the MEC to help with infrastructure upgrade, especially the outpatients and casualty departments.
“These departments are small for the patient load we receive, we have a lot of trauma and assaults cases that come in. We also have a lot of specialised, infectious, and GBV and sexual assault cases. In some instances, we need to see patients privately for confidentiality and respect.”
She added that six clinics feed patients to the hospital, plus Gamalakhe Community Health Centre, which receives patients from other clinics as well.
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