Staff at the newly developed KwaDukuza Private Hospital stand the risk of losing their jobs before the work even starts, due to a five month delay of the hospital’s opening.
Concerned investor Neeran Naidoo told the Courier that the R220 million project had been completed and fully staffed but is being “held ransom” by KwaDukuza municipality.
According to Naidoo, the hospital management are considering possibly retrenching the 159 recently employed staff as they cannot afford the running costs amounting to millions every month, due to the delay in opening.
“The hospital was supposed to open in June, but the municipality has found about six separate and minor problems relating to the infrastructure which were easily fixed. When they are fixed, they find other minor faults.
“The recent ‘problem’ they found was that the hospital needed to build a pavement at a school that is next to the facility.
“I am not sure what that has to do with the opening of the hospital but it is causing a holdup.
“The hospital management cannot pay for the running costs of a facility that is not yet open while the municipality drags its feet since August with regards to providing an occupational certificate.”
KDM would first have to approve the structural aspects of the hospital before the health department inspects the facility.
This could lead to a further delay.The long-awaited facility is a first of its kind in the growing town.
Situated on Theunissen Road, the 70-bed hospital would offer a variety of healthcare options including general services, dentistry, ENT and neurology.
There will be specialist consulting suites, three fully equipped operating theatres, 24-hour casualty and emergency services, radiology, pathology, a hospital pharmacy, a retail pharmacy and a coffee shop.
Currently, the nearest private health facility to Stanger is almost 30 kilometres away, at the Netcare Alberlito Hospital in Ballito.
In light of this, Naidoo accused the municipality of not considering the impact the delay has on people’s lives.
“A bit of urgency from the municipality’s side would be appreciated.
“The delay affects staff at a time when it is so difficult to find jobs. It also affects the Stanger community as people have to travel from Stanger to Ballito to access private healthcare and it is often a matter of life or death.”
KwaDukuza Private Hospital manager Ravi Manilal said they were working closely with KDM to resolve the issues.
He did not confirm or deny if management was considering retrenching staff.
“Indeed there is a delay in the opening of the hospital, however, we are currently working closely with the municipality to resolve these issues and we are optimistic that the facility will open soon. Staff are being paid their salaries according to their contractual agreements.”
KDM has not responded to the Courier’s questions regarding problems that were identified at the hospital resulting in the delay.
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