The arrival of the Corona virus unexpectedly meant that Government had to think outside the box and convert already existing infrastructure to accommodate Covid 19 patients as this was the case in Livingstone hospital in Port Elizabeth.

With Nelson Mandela Bay being the hotspot of the second wave of the virus, new wards have been built, old dilapidated buildings refurbished and a parking bay has been turned into wards for Covid 19 patients.

The R11,6 million rands parking bay in Livingstone Hospital, which has now been completed and in use, has yielded 73 beds for Covid-19 patients.

The area was divided into two (2) wards.

Ward A has 40 patients and includes a nurses’ station, a clean utility room, a medical supply store and linen.

Ward B has 33 beds and has its own nurses station. The ward has a kitchen, change rooms and ablutions facilities for both staff and patients. Mechanical and electrical installations were done.

The work in the basement unit included alterations, masonry, waterproofing, carpentry and joinery, partitions and access flooring, ironmongery, tiling, plumbing, drainage, electrical and mechanical installations.

Thandeki Xhamlashe, hospital Chief Executive Officer said, “Public Works and Infrastructure was very quick to understand a very complex brief given by the hospital in a short space of time. Making it easy to start rolling out the project.” He goes on to mention how impressed he was by the precision, accountability and continued interaction with them as clients whilst rolling out the project.”

The R11,6 million value of the construction project benefitted 20% local Exempt Micro Enterprises (EME’s),20% for Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and 20 local labourers.

“The work done here is commendable. The beauty of this is that the wards will be used beyond Covid 19. That is the gain for the hospital” said HOD Thandolwethu Manda

To date 73 health care facilities have been completed at a total cost of R317,7 million rands.85 awards have been made to Eastern Cape based Contractors to the value of R590,4 million rands.152 local Small, Medium, Micro Enterprises(SMMEs) have subcontracted on various projects to the tune of R47,5 million rands.

Thambisa Notshe, nursing manager at Livingstone hospital, explained how the new facility has assisted the hospital. She said, “I can comfortably say that Public Works and Infrastructure has met our expectations, we have not met any challenges in using that unit.”

Article by: Zuko Mankazana

Picture by:  Sibusiso Blayi