Question NW2492 to the Minister of Health

Reply:

a) Plans to address the hospital’s

(i) Infrastructural problems

The Northwest Department of Health currently focus on statutory and day-to-day maintenance on health facilities in Lichtenburg. Statutory maintenance budget is ring-fenced to focus on Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning and Cooling (HVAC) and maintenance of standby generators and boilers.

(ii) Staff Shortage

Due to funding constraints, the Department finds it difficult to fill vacant posts and continue to year-on-year overspend on compensation of employees. The Department continues to engage both Provincial and National Treasury in this regard.

b) Costs of the plans to the department

The estimated cost at present associated with the replacement of Lichtenburg Hospital amounts to R1.2 billion. This excludes costs associated with maintenance to maintain operability of the current facility and to where possible extend its life.

c) Update on the progress regarding the implementation of plans

The Maintenance plan, to do upkeep of the existing hospital, is an ongoing activity and funded for every financial year. The new Lichtenburg hospital will replace the old General de la Rey Hospital and the dilapidated Thusong Hospital which is too old for renovation at an estimated cost of R1,2 billion. The following tasks have been completed by the professional team since 2017:

• Accommodation Schedule – The number of beds (wards) including the pharmacy, operating theatres, trauma unit, kitchen, laundry, mortuary, mechanical workshops etc. have been agreed to and signed off by the stakeholders. This forms part of the project brief.
• Acquisition of land – The Ditsobotla Local Municipality has committed to making land available for the project (refer to attached letter from the municipality).
• Environmental Impact Assessment – A record of approval from the relevant authorities have been received.
• Traffic Impact Study – A preliminary study has been done.
• Geotechnical Investigation – A preliminary soil investigation has been completed.
• Land Survey – A topographical survey of the project site has been completed.
• Hospital layout and designs – A layout of the hospital and the detailed designs are expected to be finalized by the department in 2022/23 financial year

d) What steps will he take to address implementation of the plans.

There is an emphasis on strategic alignment of the project in the Infrastructure Unit of the National Department of Health and the appraisal and prioritization of this capital project undertaken has received quite a bit of attention over the past years. A concerted effort in alignment is thus underway for this project to ensure full compliance to the National Treasury Capital Planning guidelines.

The National Department of Health via the Direct-Health Facility Revitalisation Grant will continue monitoring the progress of implementing plans associated with this new hospital.

END.