Work is expected to commence soon on the construction of a new psychiatric unit at Port Shepstone Regional Hospital at a cost of some R240m.

The KZN MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, introduced the contractor at a sod turning ceremony on July 7. GVK-Siya Zama Construction has been appointed to build the 28-bed mental health in-patient and outpatient unit.

The unit will be within the hospital’s premises and includes an outpatients unit, secure admission area, male ward, female ward, and clinical and support areas, staff parking, fencing and backup generator.

The existing orthopaedic ward, psychiatric ward and administration block will be demolished.

According to Meyer, the project is estimated to be completed within 30 months, but bearing in mind challenges such as weather, which might cause delays.

The project will create work opportunities for about 228 local unskilled labour.

Some 5% of the budget is allocated for a programme for students from higher education institution as well as learners that need in service training after course work from TVET colleges around Port Shepstone.

Meanwhile, with some of the big construction projects under Ray Nkonyeni Municipality such as the Mzimkhulu River bridge and R102 facing challenges, Meyer assured that the hospital project will go smoothly.

He added that the Department of Health has been excellent with payment to Public Works, so that contractors can be paid on time.

“I know that Public Works has had a bad reputation, but in the last two years we have seen so much improvement in the department. We are putting everything we can in this project. I will personally be visiting the site regularly.”

When asked how the department intends to handle interference from the construction mafia, Meyer added that if anyone wants to hold the project to ransom, they will will be dealt with.

“We will not negotiate with criminals. If you want to talk to us about concerns, contact my office, but we will not allow criminality on our building sites to affect our municipalities. If people want to disrupt our sites, the only overalls they will wear are orange overalls, and they are not the Expanded Public Works Programme overalls, but prison overalls.”

The CEO of the hospital, Zakanzima Mbethe, said the unit will relieve pressure in terms of referrals and patient care.

He added that challenges persist in terms of the the 72-hour admission period because a patient has to be assessed within that timeframe, before being transferred to Umzimkhulu Psychiatric Hospital.

“Furthermore, the transfer of patients to and from Umzimkhulu is costly, now that we will have a short-stay and long term ward it will ease the pressure. Overall, this unit will be of benefit to Ugu District and surroundings.”

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