The development and maintenance of public infrastructure is an important task that government needed to undertake in order to bridge the gap between the first and second economy, create jobs and reduce poverty in Gauteng, says MEC for Infrastructure Development Bheki Nkosi.
MEC Nkosi was speaking in Soweto where he visited the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital this morning to inspect the newly upgraded laundry section following refurbishments undertaken by the provincial government at the cost of R16.5 million.
The department had been allocated an appropriation of R57 million for construction and R296 million for maintenance in the 2012/13 financial year.
The department , in conjunction with the Department of Health in the province had identified the replacement of old equipment at various health institutions in order to ensure seamless service delivery and manage the costly refurbishment of obsolete equipment.
“Electro-mechanical equipment is central to the functionality of health facilities and the creation of a habitable healing environment,” he said.
“Gauteng has some of the oldest facilities in its portfolio that requires maximised attention, hence this multi-million rand investment by the Gauteng Provincial Government in the refurbishment and upgrading of facilities to extend the useful life of facilities and guarantees equipment uptime and access to health,” the MEC added.
This upgraded laundry equipment at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital will ensure that the 2 880-bed hospital provides better service to communities and its high quality equipment will help save on energy, water and detergents.
The upgrades are part of the Project 274 that is being implemented across Gauteng which includes replacements and refurbishment of boilers, lifts, laundries, chillers, autoclaves, electrical reticulation, and change-over switches of generators which have long exceeded their life span.
Other Project 274 beneficiaries include hospitals such as Charlotte Maxeke, George Mukhari, Jubilee, and Helen Joseph.
The Department of Infrastructure Development is the chief custodian of public infrastructure in Gauteng Province and remains committed to service delivery excellence.
For enquiries contact:
Philemon Motshwaedi
Tel: 011 355 5105
Cell: 083 648 6870
E-mail: philemon.motshwaedi@gauteng.gov.za
