STANDERTON – A new prospect is on the horizon for Standerton as a brand new private hospital will be built.
The hospital will be constructed between Caledon and Church Streets next to the existing Mar-Peh Medi-Care.
The chairman of Nozala Health Partners (NHP), Ms Salukazi Dakile Hlongwane, said the promoters were proud to be involved with the new private hospital.
It will, on completion, be capable of providing world class healthcare to all citizens of the town and the surrounding districts.
“The private hospital will serve as a regional showcase of South-Africa healthcare for the benefit of us all, particularly the communities within the Gert Sibande District, who will have access to fully comprehensive medical care and treatment,” Ms Hlongwane said.
Sister Christien du Plessis began the subacute Mar-Peh Medi-Care in 2001 and the realisation was that Standerton needed an acute hospital.
She began negotiations to get a licence for such a hospital and after years of negotiating and perseverance it all came true.
She thanked all the doctors for their support throughout the years.
“I think the whole community will benefit from the new hospital and we can not wait for the opening,” Ms Du Plessis said.
According to Mr Deon Kruger, Executice Director of NHP, the building of the hospital will create both short-term and sustainable jobs.
He said low and middle income earners in Standerton and surrounding areas will also be able to access private health care through this development.
Mr André Carstens, NHP Executive Director, said the development would be phased to ensure that the total amount of beds allocated by the Department of Health, would be fully utilised within the shortest possible time. This was a more feasible approach and would help in developing the facility in line with the needs of the community.
“Mar-Peh Private Hospital will provide permanent employment opportunities to an estimated 347 during the construction period and 175 nursing and administrative staff incrementally over a period of five years and we will attempt to attract staff to return home to Standerton and work at the hospital,” Mr Sam Zwane Executive Director of Promoters, NHP Mpumalanga said.
He envisaged the official opening of the hospital to be towards the middle of 2015.
The construction of the hospital will be undertaken in two phases with the first phase comprising 37 beds and two theatres increasing to 70 beds and three theatres over time and supported by comprehensive diagnostics, pharmacy, laboratory, emergency and wellness clinical services.
“We are delighted to be bringing this high-tech, modern hospital to the people of Standerton, which undoubtedly will benefit the people of the Lekwa Municipality,” Mr Tony Lundin, NHP Executive Director, said.
