Concern over new public hospital to be built next to Coronation Dam

Advertising

20-04-2018
Read : 84 times
Krugersdorp News
Source

It will be built in a nature conservation area, and with numerous unresolved medical negligence claims at the current hospital, the new hospital raises more concern than ever.

The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) has announced that it is planning to build a “new and improved” Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital.

The new hospital, which will be built next to the existing one, will contain 500 beds, five floors and a larger array of medical services to serve the people of Krugersdorp.

The proposal also entails the construction of outbuildings, parking bays, roads and landscaped areas next to the existing hospital.

The project site land parcel consists of 338,3ha of ground, yet only six hectares would be required for the development of the hospital. It is proposed that the hospital be built on the flatter area closer to the Coronation Dam.

The Background Information Plan (BID) which is a basic project plan set forth by the Department, motivated its decision by saying:

“This is prompted by the inability of the existing hospital to cater for the growing regional health care demand in its catchment area. Over the years the hospital has experienced pressure in catering for the increasing population within the surrounding areas and beyond. The redevelopment of the hospital is based on the incapacity of the existing hospital to cater for the growing population within its catchment area.

It is therefore desirable to develop a facility that is significantly larger than the existing facility to cater for the need and growing demand for regional health care”.

At the moment the project is still under consideration and the public has the chance to participate, oppose or comment on the plans.

One of the major concerns about the project is that it will be built on an area classified as a conservation area. It is located in an Ecological Support Area (ESA) which plays an important role in supporting the ecological functioning of priority/ critical biodiversity areas. The project site is undeveloped and covered in Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld indigenous vegetation and Class 2 ridges. It is zoned as a public open space and conservation area. The site is characterised by ridges, a stream, the dam and a wetland. The land slopes south-west to the stream and three small drainage features drain to the dam on the flatter area of the site. There are also existing footpaths onsite. The project site corresponds to a Terrestrial/ Geographical area according to the Gauteng Conservation Plan.

Points of concern to consider:

• The area on which the government plans to build the “new wing” of the hospital will be built on land classified as a conservation area “which plays an important role in supporting the ecological functioning of priority/critical biodiversity areas.” How will this influence the area?

• The plan proposes that the water and sewerage system of the new hospital will be connected to the municipal water system which is already under tremendous strain because it hasn’t been upgraded. The influx in population has also created many issues such as burst water pipes. Will the existing infrastructure be able to carry the load?

• The construction of the hospital will be done over (possibly) 4–5 years. Will the noise pollution, building material and excessive development influence Coronation Park and Centenary Dam?

• Johan Jonker Drive is the proposed entry point for the new hospital. It’s a narrow one-lane road with no sidewalks. A school is located in the same street and the influx of patients before and after school hours could cause major traffic issues in the area. Would this street be developed in a way which will accommodate more motorists and traffic?

• The current hospital already has a limited number of staff members, who have complained about not being paid overtime. The hospital often complains about being under-staffed. The number of unresolved medical negligence claims is endless. Will there be some sort of plan to resolve these issues once the new hospital is built?

The developers have proposed alternatives to the development:

1. Redevelop the hospital in its existing position and structure by way of renovation

2. Redevelop the hospital in a nearby position to which the facility could be relocated and redeveloped

3. Redevelop the hospital in a totally new position within Mogale City Local Municipality