Gauteng is pushing forward with plans to construct four new hospitals, as announced by the provincial health department. Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed the intention to increase the number of hospitals from 37 to include new facilities in Daveyton, Soshanguve, Orange Farm, and Diepsloot during his State of the Province address on August 15.
The National Health Department has already approved the business case for the Daveyton Hospital. The Gauteng infrastructure financing agency has been tasked with overseeing the bulk engineering designs, site development plans, and architectural designs, aiming to complete these by March 2025.
Additionally, funding for the project has been secured in the medium-term expenditure framework. Progress has also been made on the Orange Farm hospital project, with suitable land identified and land suitability investigations nearing completion. However, while suitable land has been identified for a hospital in Soshanguve, confirmation of its suitability is still pending.
The provincial entity is working with its infrastructure development counterpart to finalise land identification by the end of the current financial year. Likewise, land suitability investigations for the Diepsloot Hospital are underway and expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.
MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko highlighted that these hospitals will help bridge the healthcare gap in township areas and address regional disparities in healthcare provision, representing a significant step towards achieving the vision of a universal healthcare system.