R3,5 billion needed for Limpopo Academic Hospital

Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba reportedly met with different stakeholders and officials from the Provincial Treasury recently hoping to convince them to allocate money for the planning and construction of the long awaited Limpopo Medical School and Limpopo Academic Hospital.
The two projects were announced by Ramathuba during her budget speech in the Legislature at the beginning of the year but it seems residents will have to wait longer than expected for the two projects to be completed. Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan also announced during his budget speech in February that he would work with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, former Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande and Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel on planning the Limpopo Academic Hospital and the new medical school of the University of Limpopo.
Despite the medical school reportedly going to be the first to be built in the province Department of Health Spokesperson Derick Kganyago indicated that it was unfortunate that officials hadn’t discussed anything relating to the medical school in a meeting held recently.
He said the current estimated cost for the project was R3,5 billion which Ramathuba aims to raise from various investors and both National and Provincial Treasury. He further said since the entire project was still at a planning stage and he was unable to divulge commencement dates for the construction.
A media statement issued by the Provincial Government Spokesperson, Phuti Seloba relating to issues discussed by the Executive Council last Wednesday informed that the Department of Health and Provincial Treasury had been tasked with the responsibility of making the Limpopo Academic Hospital a reality.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za