Plans for private hospital are in the pipeline
The first phase of the project will see the construction of the hospital with 75 beds
In 2005, there was talk of construction of a private hospital in Estcourt.
This was positive news for many locals, who were optimistic that this development would minimise travelling to other towns for private healthcare.
However, the talk died down after a while and it seemed that the project may have been a pipedream.
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This is certainly not the case though…
Stakeholders meet
On March 24, a team of stakeholders met in Estcourt to conduct a site handover and unveil their plans about the private hospital. Meeting at the site along Ntabamhlophe Road, there was tangible excitement in the air from all role players as they spoke of the plans and developments going forward.
The idea of constructing a private hospital in Estcourt was borne by three local doctors – Dr Ndlovu, Dr Ntuli and Dr Mzinyane.
According to Dr Mzinyane, it was out of ‘pure desperation’ that the trio decided to get involved in the project.
“We started talking about the project in 2005, but finances and partnerships did not work out. We realised that there was a vital need for a private hospital in Estcourt. It takes two and a half days to get a bed in Pietermaritzburg and we had to take our patients’ needs into consideration. We did a risk analysis and found that Estcourt needs a 250-bed private hospital,” commented the doctor.
Construction
The first phase of the project will see the construction of the hospital with 75 beds.
Project manager Simon Chalwa, who was in good spirits on the day, said that everyone present was excited to get to the point of the site handover.
“We have had a lot of ups and downs, but never gave up on this project. Today we will be handing over the site to the contractor – GVK Siya Zama – and it will be their property until the building is finished,” said Mr Chalwa.
He said that during the next two weeks, the contractor will be engaging with the community on ways to accommodate them during the construction and finalise the finer details regarding plans. It is estimated that the construction period will be 12 months and two weeks.
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