South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has toured the construction site of the new Middleburg District Hospital in Mpumalanga on Thursday, using the visit to highlight the government’s healthcare infrastructure achievements amid intensified campaigns ahead of the May 29 general elections.
The new hospital currently under construction is expected to replace the existing Middelburg Provincial Hospital and meet the healthcare demands of the rapidly growing local population.
The President, accompanied by Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Thembi Nkadimeng, was given a guided tour of the hospital facility.
The President’s visit comes as political parties intensify their campaigns, with healthcare emerging as a key issue for voters.
During the visit, President Ramaphosa interacted with construction workers and received updates from project managers on the timeline for completion and challenges faced during the construction process.
He received updates on the hospital’s features which include outpatient services, a general care unit, a maternity wing, a 600-seater auditorium, and accommodation for staff and students.
The new facility’s infrastructure has been meticulously designed to accommodate the latest technological advancements, ensuring a modern, safe and secure environment,” authorities say.
Once completed, it will boast 220 inpatient beds, 4 fully-equipped operating theatres, an accident and emergency department, as well as services spanning medical imaging, pathology, pharmacy, maternity, paediatrics, allied health, rehabilitation and dialysis.
Additionally, the hospital will house a dental suite and offer extensive family health services, along with on-site training facilities and a crèche.
As the African National Congress (ANC) ramps up its campaign efforts ahead of the polls, Ramaphosa highlighted the new hospital as a testament to the government’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare services across the country.
