26 September 2003

By Nomonde Makaula

The Eastern Cape health department will spend R538-million on building 24 new clinics and three new hospitals as well as on renovating three hospitals this financial year, departmental spokesperson Sizwe Khuphelo said yesterday.

Khuphelo said the tenders for the clinics had been approved and construction was expected to start soon.

The department was currently involved in building:

• the new R134-million Holly Cross Hospital in Flagstaff;
• the R115-million St Lucy's Hospital near Tsolo; and
• the R116-million Mary Teresa Hospital at Mount Frere.

Renovations at a cost of R42-million were being done at Zitulele Hospital in Mqanduli, Nompumelelo Hospital in Pedie (R19-million) and Rietvlei Hospital in Umzimkulu (R60-million).

A R9-million tender for airlifting patients would be issued to help improve service delivery, especially in remote areas.

Kupelo said the department was improving its infrastructure and management capacity to stimulate efficiency.

'We want to attract professionals to serve in rural areas, but we have to invest in necessary tools. We have established a quality assurance unit that monitors service delivery levels and enhance stakeholder participation," he said.
- BuaNews

BUFFALO CITY
METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
A City growing
with you