STANDERTON TB Hospital could soon be moved.
This could happen after Mpumalanga health MEC Gillion Mashego found that the Mbhejeka Community Health Care Centre, near Tjakastad, is currently a white elephant.
He said the under-used centre is a state-of-the-art structure with ideal services.
He first visited the centre in 2014 and found that the premises were not being utilised effectively.
The centre was built during the 2010/11 financial year. “After the visit we instructed senior managers in the department to come up with a strategy that will ensure the premises are utilised effectively.”
The department has since recommended that Standerton TB Hospital be moved to Mbhejeka centre,” Mashego said.
One of the challenges facing the hospital was that the structure was not owned by government.
“The department has been renting the structure from the South African National TB Association for about R1,2 million a year.
“Santa is not renovating or maintaining the structure and it poses a risk to the officials and patients as it is non-compliant with national core standards. The department is unable to effect renovations because the structure is not owned by government,” Mashego said.
He said they already had plans and designs with regard to the possible relocation, which would be factored into the current financial year.
Mashego said about R9 million was required to make changes.
