The much anticipated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which was under construction since August 2012 at the Job Shimankane Tabane Hospital, in Rustenburg is fully operational. The 14 bedded Unit was officially opened by Health MEC, Dr. Magome Masike last Thursday, 6 June 2013. This will immediately end the hospital’s dependency on private health care for specialized care.
Built at a cost of R8 million, the unit will provide specialised care to ill or premature newborn infants with low weight or who have a medical condition that requires specialised treatment. The community of Bojanala District has for years functioned with only four public beds forcing the Department of Health to outsource at high cost when the demand upscale. Last year alone, the hospital spent over R2.5 million outsourcing the specialized service and the money will now be channeled elsewhere.
Speaking at the official opening, MEC Masike applauded Impala Platinum for the donation that made the Neonatal ICU a reality.
Masike said: “This is yet another milestone project which is a result of a public private partnership between the department and Impala Platinum. With the partnerships that continue to flourish in our province and in particular with our department we are surely on course to save mothers and babies at birth.”
The Committee on Morbidity and Mortality in Children under 5 years Report (2012) indicates that South Africa’s infant mortality rate decreased from 47.4/ 1000 Live Births in 2007 to 38.1/1000 Live Deaths. North West decreased significantly from 77.6\1000 Live Births to 48.4/1000 Live Births.
We can only continue to achieve these great strides if we work together as partners, MEC Masike said. He said greatness can only be achieved when everyone does their part and commit to saving babies then we can begin to celebrate that we will confidently achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
“Health professionals should continue to do their jobs with passion and safe babies. The department and the programmes managers should continue to give support. Then our partnerships will continue to grow and we will see more improved positive health outcomes,” MEC Masike said.
Impala Platinum CEO, Terence Goodlace said: “We feel very proud to have been able to assist the department and the community. We hope this assistance will go a long way in nurturing infants to be future leaders.”
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane, Provincial Health spokesperson
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
