unit
1 February 2007
The Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Limpopo Health MEC
Seaparo Sekoati will visit a newly upgraded TB unit at the F H Odendaal
Hospital in the town of Modimolle (Nylstroom) in Waterberg District, Limpopo on
Friday, 2 February 2007.
The Department of Health has spent at least R2,5 million in improving the
unit to accommodate more drug-resistant TB patients, to prevent
hospital-acquired TB infection and improve patient care and treatment
outcomes.
The new TB unit has 38 beds and is fitted with extractor fans and
ultraviolet light filters which remove and kill bacteria and thereby preventing
cross infection in the hospital. For extra protection, respirator masks are
issued to all health workers and visitors in the hospital and patients are
provided with surgical masks.
The unit is currently accommodating both multi-drug (MDR) and extreme drug
resistant (XDR) TB patients.
Additional funding is being made available to enable other TB facilities to
make necessary structural changes required to prevent cross infections in
hospitals and enhance patient care.
The media is invited to join the Minister and the MEC during this visit
which takes place as follows:
Date: 2 February 2007
Time: 10h00
Venue: FH Odendaal Hospital, Modimolle (Nylstroom), Waterberg District,
Limpopo
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
National Health Department
Cell: 082 772 0161
Phuti Seloba
Limpopo Health Department
Cell: 082 807 0796
Issued by: Department of Health
1 February 2007
