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The Zoutpansberg Private Hospital's heart is still beating strongly for its community. Last Wednesday (14th) the hospital, based in Louis Trichardt, welcomed the public into their newly built day ward. It was a happy day for the directors and staff of the hospital. Not only did they finish days ahead of schedule, but they also passed their final inspections.
The first ground for the project was turned during February this year. Since then, the hospital faced many challenges to meet the various state departments' legal requirements and receive their operating licence. In addition, they had to endure water and electricity interruptions and continuously had to direct visitors not to walk across the building site.
The new ward will add an additional 10 beds to the hospital's existing 22 beds. This is in line with the hospital's motto: "We dare to care."
One of the hospital's directors, Dr Anton Stroebel, said after the ceremony that the new wing was part of the hospital's ongoing vision to expand. "We want to continue growing and serving our community," Stroebel explained.
The development of the hospital is being done in small steps in a sustainable manner. "This venture started in 1998 when the founding members of the hospital had a dream and a vision to build a high-quality facility for Louis Trichardt to render private health-care services. This dream became a reality when the first patient was admitted to the hospital in November 2001, and from there the hospital grew … some of you might remember the old house that first stood here on the corner. If you look at what is here before you today, you can't help but be inspired by the achievement of the founding members and the board of directors," said Mr George Malan of the Veritas Accounting firm when he toasted the directors and staff of the hospital during the ceremony.
Future plans include the addition of a further 50 beds and additional theatres. But before that can happen, the hospital is first going to complete phase two of the current expansion. This will include new admin offices, as well as consulting rooms for visiting specialists and the expansion of the current theatres.
The new wing is located left of the hospital's previous main entrance in Joubert Street (the new entrance is lower down in the paved parking lot). Before construction started, the area used to house the hospital's administrative offices. Some of these offices will move into the new wing.
Entering the new wing (via the main entrance), visitors will first walk through the reception and office area, directly to their left. Beyond this area, visitors will find the corridor with the wards on the left side. The décor is visibly more modern than that of the old wing, but with the light colour palette, the new wing gives off a calm vibe.
If all goes according to plan, the first overflow patients will be put up in the new wing this coming Thursday (today).
"I cannot wait to start treating patients here," said Mrs Ina Muller, the nursing manager, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.