The MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, will officially open state of the art multi-drug resistant tuberculosis facility and a clinic in the rural uMkhanyakude district on Thursday, 29 April 2010.
With the number of patients with MDR-TB increasing and the period it takes to construct wards using brick and mortar taking longer, the department has had to look at innovative ways of increasing the number of TB beds in the province, ensuring that TB patients are not accommodated with other patients and using cost effective ways.
Alternative way of constructing a TB facility will be unveiled at Manguzi hospital on Thursday. This ways of construction ensures proper ventilation, using solar and a very quick and cost effective method. A 40 bed MDR-TB facility, consisting of male and female wards and an admin block has been built using this way of construction. This facility was built in just less than six months for an amount of R7,6 million.
"These building innovations ensure that we adhere to environmental controls that are dependent on building design, construction, renovation and use, which in turn are tailored to climatic conditions," says the MEC for Health
Furthermore, the MEC will officially open a new clinic, uMqobokazi clinic (in Mseleni), which was funded by Aspen pharmaceuticals.
The Media is invited to join the MEC at the events to be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, 29 April 2010
Time: 09h00
Venue: Manguzi hospital, Umkhanyakude
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Tel: 033 395 3130
Fax: 033 342 0429
E-mail: chris.maxon@kznhealth.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
27 April 2010
