The New De Aar Referral Hospital will not only alleviate the struggle against TB in future, at this point in time the construction, it is already alleviating poverty and creating job opportunities for 319 people (Main Hospital 217 and TB Facility102). It also acted as an economic injection for contractors and local SMME’s.

This project is a shining example of how construction and building government amenities can economically benefit and boost our local unemployed skilled and unskilled people. Government has a continuous commitment to social upliftment, poverty eradication and creating job opportunities.

In addressing the shortage of trained labour in De Aar, and also for the sake of future projects within this area, the project made an allowance for a training component (based on EPWP principles). Bokgoni Training & Development, a registered EPWP trainer, is appointed. The training was conducted on the following critical trades:

1. Bricklaying

2. Plastering

3. Tiling & Paving

4. Plumbing

We can announce that a total of 40 learners from around De Aar were trained in the various trades. Of these, 12 were female and 28 were male.

The department is taking the development of youth seriously and it is going the extra mile in developing these learners. Currently, we are in the process of appointing a second training provider to train the above learners to advanced levels of these trades.

Roads and Public Works also turned the tables for smaller sub-contractors, instead of appointing one or two big contractors, boosting small sub-contractors were our first priority. There are total of 14 sub-contractors appointed to focus on the construction of the TB facility and a total of 12 sub-contractors is employed for the main hospital.

The New De Aar Referral Hospital is designed to accommodate the total of 158 beds,

TB Unit is allocated 63 beds and
Main Hospital is allocated 95 beds.


This new health facility will be responsible for tackling major communicable diseases and addressing the various health challenges that the province is faced with which are mainly TB and HIV/AIDS.

The construction of the hospital was spilt into 3 phases. These phases further split into 6 contracts to accommodate the various sub-contractors.

PHASE 1

Perimeter Fencing – Siyahlangana Construction

Completed (100%)

Worth: R2 million

Water Reservoir – Ruwacon Construction

Completed (100%)
Worth R6 million

Housing Part B – Boikago Construction

Completed (100%)
Worth R9 million

Inclusive of this project is the construction of staff housing for medical personal.

Housing Part A – SA Fence and Gate

Completed (100%)
Worth 10 million

PHASE 2

Construction of the TB Facility – Ruwacon Construction

On-going (75% Completion Status)
Worth R 63 million


PHASE 3

Main Hospital – Ruwacon Construction.

On-going (41% Completion status)
Worth R 424 million

Under Phase 3 of the project, we will soon also be advertising tenders for similar training to another group of learners from De Aar.


Factors such as the Un-availability of building materials in De Aar (most materials are sourced from Kimberley or Bloemfontein) and the rainy weather during the construction affects the progress of the project, processes have been put in place to circumvent these factors.


Ms Crystal Robertson

Spokesperson

ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS

08 222 38 292