Lisa Isaacs
THE fate of GF Jooste Hospital hangs in the balance as discussions continue on whether it should be rebuilt or if a new hospital should service the Manenberg community.
The Western Cape Health Department closed down the hospital in July last year for major reconstruction costing about R785 million.
Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo’s spokesperson Colleen Smart said that at the time of its closure it was envisioned that the department would build a district hospital.
“Due to the increased service delivery pressures of the area, the Western Cape government endeavours to build a regional hospital which would offer the community additional specialist care services,” she said.
The larger facility would include specialised obstetric and gynaecological services, paediatric services, anaesthetic services, mental health services, specialised radiology and general and orthopedic surgery.
The disused hospital has been stripped bare by thieves.
Daily people enter the facility, which is protected by only two security guards.
Many of the vandals strip the hospital of valuable materials, residents say.
When the Cape Times visited the site yesterday, a security guard said they were told not to let the media enter.
Of what could be seen, roofs had been stripped and only the basic structure of some buildings were left. Burglars gained entry through a broken wall at the side of the facility and took everything of value.
“The security (guard) says to the guys, you can take whatever you want, as long as you spare our lives,” a resident said. Another resident said the thieves used the material to build their own shelters.
“People walk in here (throughout the) day and there's only two security (guards), what can they do?” he asked.
Transport and public works spokesperson Siphesihle Dube said while discussions continued about the use of the building, the idea of a training facility for metro police had been raised.
“There have been various conversations about further plans. No decision has been taken,” he said.
Dube said while R150 000 had been spent on security since June 2014, and incidents of vandalism had been reported, they were not aware that security had bargained with criminals for their lives.
Smart said a “business case” for the rebuilding of GF Jooste Hospital was being developed, due for completion in 2015/16.
It was due for submission to the National Department of Health.
“Pending the outcome of the inter-governmental process as well as the National Department’s response to the business case, the Department will be in a position to provide clarity about dates and detail regarding the rebuilding of GF Jooste Hospital,” she said.
National Health department spokesperson Joe Maila said it was a provincial health matter and provincial departments had to be consulted.