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A Game Changer in Infrastructure Development

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Gqeberha, South Africa, 27 September 2022, The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) strives to remain at the forefront of infrastructure development, by implementing projects that facilitate economic growth, socio-economic development, and employment opportunities within communities. The CDC was appointed by the National Department of Health (NDoH) to act as an Implementing Agent for the implementation of the department’s health infrastructure projects under the In-Kind grant funding. At the request of the provincial health departments, the NDOH allocated budgets for the infrastructural upgrades towards the provincial attainment of National Health Insurance (NHI) compliant health facilities.

Currently, two critical Eastern Cape health infrastructure projects are led by the CDC, with monitoring by the NDOH Project Management Office, with several projects planned for implementation during the 2022/23 financial year. These projects are Zithulele and Bambisana District Hospitals, where construction activities are currently underway. These public facilities are critical to the delivery of essential health services across their deeply rural districts, with infrastructure upgrades, responsive to the clinical, social, and economic needs of the surrounding communities.

In terms of the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, aggressive infrastructure investment and delivery are identified as key priorities, with the CDC designated as an implementing agent of choice guided by the NDOH Project Management Office.

According to Gugulethu Moyo, CDC Programme Director for the DoH portfolio, “Infrastructure enhancements are crucial to achieving improved health outcomes for communities; the overall improvement of the healthcare delivery system is central to the NDoH’s NHI agenda”.

Located in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, the Zithulele District Hospital is expected to create a total of 2000 construction jobs, ensuring 1000 employment opportunities for young people, 11 graduate internships, and 115 technical training opportunities. These opportunities include set targets for youth, women and people living with disabilities. Furthermore, 805 people will be given opportunities for life skills training, with 70% of beneficiaries being from local communities and 30% of the construction award earmarked for SMMEs. With a total construction award value of R515 million for Bambisana District Hospital Phase 1 in the OR Tambo District Municipality, the project anticipates the creation of 500 construction jobs with a focus on generating at least 250 opportunities for young people, 50 women, 10 people living with disabilities as well as 11 internships. Furthermore, 233 people will receive life skills training.

The Dihlabeng Regional Hospital in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality (Free State) has recently completed the enabling works phase of the overall revitalisation of the regional facility at a development cost of R31m. The procurement of a contractor for the second phase is currently underway, with an estimated construction cost in excess of R700m. The project is expected to generate a total of 1,042 construction jobs, with a particular emphasis of creating 521 jobs for young people, 104 for women, 10 employment opportunities for people living with physical disabilities, internship opportunities, 150 people given opportunities for technical training of labour and 205 people offered life skills training.

As a catalyst for socio-economic development, the CDC continues to focus on skills and SMME development. “The implementation of these projects directly contributes to a positive change in what seems to be a steadily rising unemployment rate,” highlights Ms Unathi Maholwana, Programme Manager SMME Development Unit.

“The staff assigned to this portfolio of projects have honed pertinent skills and experience that they utilize in delivering outstanding, modern healthcare facilities to meet service delivery needs. The CDC DoH Infrastructure Programme is highly competent and fully resourced, which through project management services, facilitates the implementation of infrastructure projects for the benefit of its clients and recipient communities,” explains Moyo.

The DoH Infrastructure Programme has a proven track record of delivering project management services across a wide spectrum of medical facilities, not limited to Primary Health Care facilities, District, Regional and Tertiary Hospitals, Mental Health Care Units, Forensic Laboratories and Nursing Training Colleges.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.