Minister Mbombo officially opens the Knysna wards and conducts oversight visits

Western Cape Health Minister, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo visited the Eden District to conduct oversight visits and hold several meetings with community leaders.

The Minister began her programme by officially opening the Knysna Hospital Wards that were recently revamped. Knysna Hospital has enjoyed large scale of renovations during the last couple of years. The newly revamped Emergency Centre (EC) was opened in 2014 and yesterday, Monday, 23 October 2017, the official opening of the rest of the wards took place. The total cost of the renovations project is said to be R55 million, of which R22 million was spent renovating the wards.

“I am pleased with the great work that has been achieved in the Knysna Hospital given the recent tragedies that occurred in the area. Our core business is to deliver quality healthcare services to all in a conducive environment. That is why it’s important for us to upgrade our current facilities to an even higher standard,” said Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Health Minister.

Renovations were a necessity at this older hospital, which was originally built in 1970. Once the EC was opened it was crucial to upgrade the rest of the hospital to the same standard to ensure that patients were able to enjoy the same quality of care throughout, to standardise techniques of maintenance, and to initiate change management. 

During this oversight visit, Minister Mbombo met the Mosselbay council and the George Mayoral committee. This was an information sharing exercise to bring the local leaders up-to-speed about the Department’s plans. “The Western Cape Government is committed to building intergovernmental relations that achieve more for the people we serve,” said Mbombo.

The Minister also visited the Thembalethu CDC construction site in George to assess the progress of this upcoming facility. She closed off her programme by visiting the current Thembalethu CDC to address community members. The community sent a delegation for a constructive discussion with the Provincial Minister and the district Management about the provision of healthcare in that area.