The Provincial Government has injected more than half a billion rand on upgrading Madwaleni Hospital in Elliotdate, a project which has created more than 500 jobs.
The project which will see the village hospital facilities modernized and create a much safer working environment for its health workers is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on behalf of the Department of Health.
The project includes construction of a new pharmacy, male and female wards, a workshop, a gatehouse, new maternity wards as well as accommodation facilities for health workers, including medical doctors and nurses.
The roads network into the Hospital as well as parking bays and pedestrian sidewalks which are wheelchair friendly will also be revamped for easy access to the hospital precinct.
A total of 533 people has been hired so far and these include 242 from surrounding villages. Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are benefiting from construction-related services and work packages, creating opportunities for skills development and supporting local livelihoods.
Athini Mente is one of the beneficiaries of the project. Mente was an unemployed graduate before GVK-Siyazama Contractors hired her as a general worker in the Madwaleni Hospital Project back in 2024.
“I want to thank GVK-SIYA ZAMA for this opportunity which has given me practical experience in construction. I have learned a lot over the period and most of all, I am now able to provide for my family. Before my employment on this project, I was an unemployed graduate seeking employment,” said Mente.
The Project Manager, Tarquin Walker, said the project is a landmark for Eastern Cape Department of Health and Eastern Cape Public Works & Infrastructure in that it holds a construction value of over R560 million for an Upgrade and Renovation project to a District Hospital.
“This has given both departments the opportunity to invest in the local communities in the form of local employment and local SMME’s. Due to the size of the project, we have made a remarkable impact, employing 242 local labourers from Madwaleni and surrounds at various stages of the project. We have also been able to appoint 7 local SMME’s at a current expenditure of over R16 million. A very positive contribution indeed,” said Walker.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide a more suitable environment for patients and healthcare workers, helping strengthen the delivery of essential medical services. Continued cooperation between DPWI, the Department of Health and the project team will be key to completing the upgrade and meeting the needs of communities that rely on Madwaleni Hospital.
