WHITE pillars and deep holes flanking poles lying around a mud-spattered construction site in Soweto are the beginnings of a new public hospital.

SOWETO is to get a second public hospital to alleviate pressure on its huge Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, commonly known as Bara.

Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa officially unveiled the construction of the hospital in Jabulani on Tuesday, 5 June.

Speaking at the event, he said that the new hospital was meant to alleviate pressure on health workers at Bara, at present the only public hospital catering for Eldorado Park, Lenasia, Orange Farm and Soweto.

Ignatius Jacobs, the MEC for public transport, roads, and works, and Brian Hlongwa, the MEC for health, attended the event.

Shilowa said the hospital would help to bring healthcare to the people of Joburg, specifically to Soweto residents. The hospital is part of his plan to transform Soweto into a "vibrant, dynamic and sustainable community where people live with decent social amenities and [have] access to economic opportunities".

Jabulani site
Initially, the as-yet unnamed hospital was to be built at the Zola Clinic; however, there was not enough space and it was decided to build the new hospital opposite Jabulani Shopping Mall. It is part of what Shilowa termed "the most comprehensive community development programme in 20 major townships in our province".

Part of his aim as premier was to change people's lives for the better, he said, adding that "[it] requires us also to pay attention to the quality of healthcare we are providing to our people".

Shilowa referred to his State of the Province speech of June 2004, when he said that over the next five years, three hospitals would be built - one each in Kathorus, Mamelodi and Zola. "Today brings to fruition that commitment. I think what is important for me is to say that we are committed to improving healthcare."

One of the major crises affecting health services in Soweto was the amount of pressure on health workers. "If we are able to revamp our primary healthcare [services], then we will be able to deal with the issues of [excessive workload] and lack of sufficient beds."

More healthcare workers
He also said that the provincial government was also looking into deploying more health practitioners to ease the workload at Bara.

"The increase in population and the emergence of new diseases, such as HIV/Aids ... and the rapid spread of diseases of lifestyle such as diabetes and hypertension, have placed services at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital under pressure."

To alleviate this the government had embarked on an intensive programme to refurbish and upgrade services at this hospital. When Bara's revitalisation was completed, the hospital would be able to offer high quality healthcare using state-of-the-art technology "right here in Soweto".

In addition, the Lillian Ngoyi and Lenasia community health centres would be upgraded to small, entry-level hospitals to improve the quality of health services, Shilowa said.

"This will strengthen the delivery of primary healthcare services closer to our homes and ensure that minor ailments are taken care of within walking distance of people's [homes]."