COVID-19 structures erected as part of response measures to the pandemic have helped relief patient overload in four public hospitals.
These hospitals are Jubilee District Hospital, Bronkhorstspruit District Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
Gauteng Department of Health spokesman Motalatale Modiba said a 300-bedded Covid-19 structure at Jubilee Hospital had been divided into five 35-bedded and five 25-bedded units.
He said the 35-bedded units include two male and two female medical wards and one surgical ward.
The 25-bedded units include the Intensive Care Unit, gynaecology and choice of termination of pregnancy units, Sub-acute or step-down unit, medico-legal clinic, male medical circumcision clinic and staff wellness clinic.
"The structure has allowed for the continuation of services while infrastructure refurbishments on some parts of Jubilee Hospital are underway," Modiba said.
He said during the recent cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, the Covid-19 structure played an important role.
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Modiba said two wards were used to admit patients suspected to have and those with confirmed cholera disease, including the separation of the patients also prevented cross infection.
Meanwhile, the 150-bedded Covid-19 structure at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital has allowed for the expansion of services and increased bed capacity, relieving pressure on Mamelodi Regional Hospital.
Modiba further said the hospital now offers diagnostic services such as sonography.
He said the unit had been utilised for a 10-bedded 24-hour Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit, a 30-bedded male medical ward, and optometry and ophthalmology services.
Provincial MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, revealed in a written response to a question in the legislature that the structure has not been in use for three months.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said they plan to use the facility as a step down for internal medicine and surgical departments.
