Construction work on the new R320-million Sipetu District Hospital, in Ntaba-nkulu, in the Eastern Cape, was initiated by a sod turning ceremony on February 24. The hospital will roll out in five phases.

Major earth and civil works construction are currently under way on the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) project, and Eastern Cape MEC for Health Sicelo Gqobana says that the new hospital marks the ECDOH’s dedication to service delivery and providing decent health services for the people in the area.

“We are particularly excited as the hospital will service the 140 000 people living in the Ntabankulu area and bring world-class infrastructure directly to them,” added Gqobana.

The first construction phase of the hospital involves preparatory works, such as the construction of platforms for the new hospital buildings and the installation of new bulk services. Several dilapidated buildings will also be demolished to make way for the new structure.

“Phase 1 should take roughly six-and-a-half months to complete,” says ECDOH project manager Sipho Kuhlase, who

adds that the design and development of the hospital upgrade are at an advanced stage, as Phase 2 went out on tender in March.

Phase 2 and 3 include the construction works for the main hospital buildings and the hospital services block, which are planned to take about 30 months and 18 months respectively to complete; however, both construction phases are planned to be completed simultaneously.

“The roll-out of the phases of construction has been structured in such a way that the completion of all the hospital construction works will conclude concurrently to ensure that commissioning of [all sections of the] hospital take place simultaneously,” says Kuhlase.

Phase 4 incorporates the construction of the ward blocks. Four ward blocks have been designed to accommodate beds and include a general tubercolosis ward.