The Department of Health approved the applications for 13 new private hospitals to be built around Gauteng. One of the hospitals is the Netcare Pinehaven Hospital – a 100-bed private institution launched on 30 September.
The development of the Netcare Pinehaven Hospital is in partnership with empowerment companies Phelang Bonolo Healthcare and Rubispan (Pty) Ltd that offer a range of private healthcare services.
Group executive chairperson of Phelang Bonolo Healthcare, Dr Jacky Rampedi said, “We are extremely excited to once again be partnering with Netcare in another advanced medical facility that has been developed with the needs of the community in mind.”
Managing director of the Netcare hospital division, Jacques du Plessis said this exciting development will bring a number of significant benefits to the greater West Rand area.
“We have had tremendous support from the local community for the development of this long-awaited facility, and they will now have convenient access to a range of quality private healthcare services right on their doorstep,” Du Plessis said.
Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu said a number of day clinics have also been approved in areas such as Groenkloof, Benoni, Midrand, Roodepoort and Fourways. “The increase in private hospital beds is good news as greater competition should bring down prices,” she said.
Mahlangu also explained that day clinics will bring down the cost as they do not have the expense of keeping patients overnight. The new beds will increase the total number of private hospital beds to more than 16 000 and any additional space could be used to assist public patients.
Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona said that the department is working on a number of projects in the health sector.
“The Department managed to spend 100 per cent of its infrastructure budget allocation for the 2014/15 financial year. The allocation is R1.4 billion of which R628 million is allocated for capital projects and R776 million for maintenance work,” he said.
According to media reports, some patients have already been treated at the hospital.
