Private Sector Innovations Lead to Turnaround for Province's Health Sector | Western Cape Government

News

News

Private Sector Innovations Lead to Turnaround for Province's Health Sector

28 November 2011

"It is innovations such as a R160 000 makeover of an in-patient area that is positioning Western Cape Government Health to turn around this province's health sector," said Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, at Groote Schuur Hospital today.

Minister Botha was opening the new maternity patient centre lounges at the hospital.

The Foschini Group has sponsored R160 000 for the upgrade of three of the patient areas in the maternity area. Dilapidated spaces with old, peeling paint, dirty windows, torn curtains and uncomfortable furnishings received a complete makeover. The maternity area has been completely redecorated and painted, with new lighting, plasma screen TVs, modern furniture and baby change stations.

The mothers that use these lounges are in-patients with complications, patients waiting for beds and discharged patients and their newborn babies.

At the event 4 433 baby blankets were also handed over to the hospital. The blankets were made through job creation projects. Over 330 metres of polar fleece fabric were donated by TFG Design Centre and the Foschini Group paid women in job creation projects R8 for every blanket made.

Minister Botha said, "We are setting up the province as a positive example of how it is possible to juggle limited resources and increasing demands. In the past two years, we have done groundbreaking work on partnerships with the private sector, and we have crossed borders not yet tested by national government."

"Today's ceremony is yet another demonstration of the pact between us and the private sector, which will get buck for their corporate investment while our patients will enjoy a better experience."

In the madeover maternity lounge at Groote Schuur Hospital is, from left, Colleen Carstens of the Foshini Group, Professor Silke Dyer, Acting Head Obstetrics and Gynaecology, COO Dr Bhavna Patel, Western Cape Health Minister Theuns Botha, Professor John Anthony, Head of Department Obstetrics and Karde Buys of the Foschini Group.

Media Enquiries: 

Hélène Rossouw
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 082 771 8834
E-mail: Helene.Rossouw@pgwc.gov.za