Pretoria - Health woes of Soshanguve residents and those of surrounding communities are being addressed as quality private healthcare comes to their doorstep at affordable rates with the opening of the Botshilu Hospital on Monday.
The hospital, which cost about R215 million to build, brings a fully staffed private facility of dedicated medical professionals and features geared towards catering for the needs of private patients who previously had to travel out of their communities to access healthcare.
“Our values are care and being people-centric in pursuit of excellence and integrity,” hospital manager Jan Scheepers said, adding the most important aspect was the provision of excellent health services and a caring attitude. The 100-bed facility will cater for patients from communities north of the city - from Soshanguve to Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa and Hammanskraal.
“There are many people with medical aid who need a hospital of this kind,” Scheepers said.
While paying patients would be treated, discounts would unfortunately not be possible.
Scheepers said: “We have a 24-hour emergency and trauma unit which will always have a doctor on duty. Public patients will be treated, resuscitated and referred to nearby hospitals.”
The beds include six in the intensive care unit, four neo-natal beds, 27 medical and 38 surgical beds, 10 in the paediatric ward and 15 in maternity.
The hospital has three theatres, rooms for specialist doctors and consulting rooms for part-time medical staff.
Scheepers said there would be general surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, among other medical professionals.
The hospital offers cardiothoracic surgery, general, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, paediatrics, pathology, dermatology, endocrinology, obstetrics and gynaecology.
It also has a “crisis room” to which victims of rape and other forms of abuse will be taken for their initial consultation in privacy before they are taken to the relevant departments for treatment.
In bringing a private health facility to Soshanguve, local family practitioner Dr Jackie Rampedi said he identified the need to have family and friends close to their sick, to aid in their recovery.
He had watched patients wilt away owing to lack of emotional and spiritual support from those close to them, something he said hampered recovery
.
The hospital is run by Phelang Bonolo Healthcare group, a BBBEE company and a vision of Rampedi’s.
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Pretoria News