New hospital for City
A new facility is planned to be built on the John Ross which connects Richards Bay and Empangeni.
OVERCROWDED hospitals, lack of beds in sick bays and inadequate resources at state hospitals are among the problems faced by many Zululanders.
With such critical issues having a significant negative impact on the region’s healthcare status, the assumption that that the city is in dire need of more medical facilities is noticeably clear.
To alleviate this problem, the John Ross Eco Junction between Richards Bay and Empangeni which is currently being developed, will include a state-of-the-art healthcare facility.
According to a media release, Melomed Hospital Holdings has recently signed a 20-year lease agreement with the Eco Junction.
Construction of this 100 bed, 10 000m² hospital will commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion expected at the end of 2016.
The hospital will primarily serve areas around the greater uMhlathuze Municipality, which includes Richards Bay, Empangeni, KwaMbonambi and Mtunzini.
Liberty Group, together with Tuscaloosa – the company awarded the hospital license – are co-owners of the R220-million hospital complex.
Melomed Executive Director, Ismail Bhorat, said that the facility will play an important role in delivering proper healthcare to members of surrounding communities.
‘Our aim has always been to ensure that healthcare is accessible to all developing and emerging communities. It is in line with our vision to provide sustainable, affordable and state-of-the-art healthcare,’ he said.
In addition to the hospital facility, the 195 000m² complex will also house a combination of light industrial and commercial mixed use developments, including warehouses and showrooms, which will boost local economic growth.
@Jarryd_Kast
