The MEC for Health in Mpumalanga, Ms Sasekani Manzini, visited Tonga Hospital in the Nkomazi Local Municipality on 28 July, 2020 to provide support and check progress on the newly-built structure of the hospital in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The MEC was accompanied by the Speaker of Nkomazi Local Municipality, Cllr SJ Mashele.
They were joined by the hospital’s management, representatives from various organized labour, contractors, hospital board members and public works department officials.
The building of the structure is in connection with government’s efforts to implement and proactively tighten Covid-19 response plans and to fight the scourge of the virus.
The construction of the dedicated COVID-19 ward is part of the Province’s plans to strengthen its health care system and to increase critical care beds and ventilators that will assist COVID-19 patients.
The 75 COVID-19 beds ward consists of:
• 26 high care beds for both male and female patients.
• 24 medium risk beds for both male and female patients,
• 25 low risk beds for both male and female patients, nurses station and doctors’ offices, changing rooms, sanitizing rooms, store-rooms and an open waiting area.
Manzini also conducted a walkabout at the Hospital to be able to assess progress of the structure which was handed over to the Department on Friday, 31 July 2020.
She also checked the provision of health care services which has continued to run smooth amidst the pandemic.
The MEC was pleased to hear about the life span of the structure which is above 50 years.
“A good story to tell indeed because even after the pandemic, the infrastructure will still be utilised for other health care services to the people.
I’m also pleased with the articulation by our organised labour for confirming the availability of the Personal Protective Equipment for the frontline Health workers.
