Requests for proposals (RFPs) to redevelop the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town are expected to go out next year, says Western Cape government Department of Health and Wellness communication deputy director Mark van der Heever.

“This megaproject aims to improve health infrastructure for the people of the Western Cape by replacing the current inefficient and ageing Tygerberg Hospital – which has become increasingly costly to maintain – with two modern, efficient facilities equipped with 21st century technology.”

Tygerberg Hospital is a tertiary hospital located in Parow. 

The hospital was officially opened in 1976 and is the largest hospital in the Western Cape and the second largest in South Africa. 

It acts as a teaching hospital, in conjunction with Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The decision to redevelop the hospital was made by the provincial cabinet in 2009 already, at a then estimated cost of R5-billion, excluding equipment.

“Due to the size and complexity of the hospital, its redevelopment is classified as a megaproject, and the support of not only provincial, but also national stakeholders is required,” says Van der Heever.

The feasibility study of the project was approved in November 2022, and is currently “in the procurement stage of the public-private partnership (PPP) cycle”, he adds.

“This stage involves determining the output requirements to formulate the request for proposals, which is expected to be advertised in 2024. 

“Should all things go according to plan, the new Central Hospital is expected to be operational by 2031.”

The new Central Hospital will be a new 893-bed tertiary facility on the Tygerberg Hospital estate, “thereby maintaining the facility’s close linkages with higher education institutions for training health professionals and technologists”, says Van der Heever.

A second facility will be a new 596-bed Regional Hospital, offering Level 1 and 2 services on a site procured for this purpose at Belhar.

Tygerberg Hospital will be maintained, and will remain operational until the new Central Hospital and the Belhar Hospital are operational, says Van der Heever.