"We are still on track to opening the hospital in this financial year, 2013/14," said Acting Head of Department Ndoda Biyela following news of a march at the Zola/Jabulani District hospital premises led by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
"Construction processes in the health sector are complex and sensitive to a number of subjective factors, for an example a change in population size and disease profile affects designs."
The Gauteng Health AHoD spoke to some journalists who were reporting on the public protest allegedly led by the DA demanding answers on the delays in the opening of the hospital and jobs.
"With new priorities on maternal and child care, for an example, we have had to do away with two theatres to make way for a maternity unit that is in line with new standards of care," continued Biyela. The Department of Health has also adopted the National Core Standards for Health Establishments that were not there when the hospital was initially designed.
However; Biyela emphasised that the hospital is complete but the department is satisfying itself that it meets the required standards including ensuring its safety. "Recently we conducted fire inspections and drills," he added.
He further mentioned that his department is "seriously re-engineering the way we schedule and manage projects of this nature. We will emphasise working with constructors who are going to deliver in stipulated time. Our goal is to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays in project implementation. This will include recruiting appropriate skills from the private sector".
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