Ngwelezana Pediatric Unit moves to Empangeni
Empangeni hospital to be the premier mother and child institution in the region.
NEXT week marks the official move of the Ngwelezana Hospital Pediatric Unit to the Lower Umfolozi War Memorial Regional Hospital (LUWMRH).
This is in line with strategy to turn the former maternity hospital into the premier mother and child institution in the region.
Currently serving a population of 2.8 million in the uThungulu, uMkhanyakude and Zululand districts, the newly expanded hospital’s current bed availability of 270 will increase to 410 beds in total when the move is completed.
The expansion contract, valued at just over R372-million, is currently 70% complete and should be finalised by July next year.
Dubbed ‘Revite Project’, the aim is to revitalise the physical infrastructure and improve the quality of health services, as well as increasing capacity to deal with communicable diseases.
LUWMRH Acting CEO and Medical Manager, Dr Ileana Popa, says the most important task is to ensure the goals are achieved.
The total number of pediatric patients expected to arrive by the time phase two is completed – which provides for surgical and orthopedic patients – is 157, with next week’s phase one move expecting an influx of 60 medical pediatric in-patients.
Philani Clinic, which caters for approximately 20 000 HIV positive children per year, will remain an out-patient service based at the new LUWMRH Pediatric Unit, while the move of the Ngwelezana Burn Unit is still under deliberation and will, until further notice, remain at its current premises.
According to Dr Popa, staff posts advertised and filled will be prioritised as per services required and certain categories of staff, namely nurses and doctors from Ngwelezana Hospital, will move to LUWMRH in due time.
Head of Pediatrics, Dr Constance Kapongo, said after the completion of phase one, children 12 years and younger will be admitted at LUWMRH, while older children will be given medical attention at Ngwelezana Hospital until phase two is complete.
‘Ensuring there is an effective emergency service for all children was one of the main priorities of the planned move.
‘There will be a transition period during the move and we intend to provide emergency services at both hospitals for walk-in patients unaware of the move,’ said Dr Kapongo.
