Gauteng MEC for Health, Mr Hope Papo, officially re-opened the Medical Admissions Ward at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Tuesday, after the ward received a R1,4 million facelift from pharmaceuticals company MSD South Africa.
The Department of Medicine is the largest department at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and is responsible for over 700 beds. The department admits, on average, about 100 patients a day, most of whom are seriously ill, suffering from the dual burdens of communicable (HIV/AIDS, TB) and non-communicable (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) diseases. To cope with this heavy load it is essential to have a fully functional admissions ward.
Both human and support services are concentrated in this facility to enable the healthcare team to care for the sick in the best possible way. However, due to the extensive demands placed on it and the large number of patients treated in the ward, it had gradually deteriorated into a state of disrepair.
“The re-opening of a revamped ward 20 will go a long way towards boosting staff morale,” MEC Papo said. “The relatives of patients who are treated at this hospital will leave this facility with a clear impression of how their loved ones are treated. In other words their experience will be guided by the care that their relatives receive,” he said.
MSD Managing Director Mr Michael Azrak said after noticing the poor state into which the ward had fallen, the company felt compelled to play its part in helping the Gauteng Department of Health make it more suitable for patients.
“Part of our vision is to make sure that South African citizens have access to the best health care possible and so we are very pleased that we were able to partner with the Gauteng Department of Health and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to make that possible for the patients of ward 20,” Mr Azrak said.
“We hope that this project can be an example not only of the great good that can come out of partnerships between government and the private sector, but also of the immense difference that can be made in the lives of others when everyone plays a part,” he added.
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital is the largest hospital in the Southern hemisphere, serving not only the Gauteng population but also neighbouring provinces and countries.
Despite the hospital providing high-end care – the high burden of disease, as well as increased violence and trauma cases – have resulted in a rise in the number of patients and the average length of stay at the hospital. In line with the commitment for high quality healthcare, the improvements and collaboration between the public and private sector could not have come at a more opportune time.
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane, Gauteng Department of Health
Cell: 082 551 9892
Dorothy Mwangu, MSD South Africa
Tel: 011 655 3000
Cell: 082 826 1872
About MSD
Today's MSD is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. MSD is a tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships.
For more information, visit www.msd.co.za.
