Real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Healthcare Property Holdings (GHPH) is nearing the completion of a R60-million expansion of the Busamed Gateway Private Hospital in Umhlanga Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal.

This investment forms part of the GHPH’s strategy to grow and upgrade South Africa’s private healthcare infrastructure. Managed by fund manager Growthpoint Investment Partners, the GHPH has about R7.3-billion in assets under management across a portfolio of licensed healthcare facilities.

Busamed Gateway Private Hospital has been operational since January this year and the hospital has opened a new 18-bed unit, with 12 intensive care unit (ICU) beds and six high care beds. A new 30-bed adult ward, including six isolation units, is under construction and expected to open in the third quarter of this year.

“The expansion of Busamed Gateway Private Hospital reflects exactly the kind of value-creating investment the GHPH seeks to make. By partnering with world-class operators such as Busamed, we are expanding hospital capacity in Umhlanga and the broader KwaZulu-Natal region while building the healthcare infrastructure South Africa needs,” says GHPH fund manager Farhana Russell.

Busamed Gateway Private Hospital hospital manager Rafeek Nakooda says this investment would also significantly strengthen the hospital’s ability to provide specialised critical care services to the region.

“The expansion represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening our critical care capability. The addition of the new ICU and high care unit enhances our ability to manage [the] increased volume of complex cases and deliver improved patient outcomes through a modern, specialised care environment.

“This development follows the recent expansion and relocation of our emergency unit, which has already increased capacity and improved patient flow. Together, these investments enable a more efficient, integrated approach to care – from emergency access through to intensive treatment – reinforcing our commitment to meeting the growing healthcare needs of the region,” Nakooda explains.

Three of the Growthpoint hospital properties are operated by Busamed including the Busamed Gateway Private Hospital in Umhlanga, the Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital in Durban and the Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital in Cape Town.

The company’s portfolio also includes eight operational hospitals, a pharmaceutical warehousing and distribution facility and medical consulting rooms, as well as senior living communities across the country.

The GHPH is also investing in similar upgrades at the Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital, which is set for completion in the months ahead to continue strengthening healthcare infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal.