Smaller contractors prove their worth in fixing health facilities When the sixth administration assumed office in 2019, supporting small businesses was one of its priorities, with the cabinet declaring that Eastern Cape money should remain in the province. By supporting small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), the provincial economy does not only grow, but small businesses — who previously complained about not getting support from government — are also capacitated and improve their grading, meaning they will qualify for bigger projects in the future. To date, 93 awards amounting to R663.74m have been made to EC-based contractors for the refurbishment of 67 health facilities across the province for Covid19 purposes. A total of 86 projects with a combined value of R594,719,833.90 was confirmed with the bidders. Construction will provide 2,458 Covid-19 beds. Of these 86 projects, 27 have now been completed at a total cost of R43,761,245.81 and have yielded 706 Covid-19 isolation beds. One company was awarded a R4.8m tender to renovate
and rehabilitate the Empilweni Hospital in Port Elizabeth. The company finished the project a month ahead of deadline, a move that department of public works & infrastructure (DPWI) MEC Babalo Madikizela said was a sign that supporting small businesses was not a mistake. The Empilweni project was part of 67 hospitals and clinics which have or are being refurbished to prepare them for the exponential growth of Covid-19 cases. Empilweni, which saw the structure revamped and medical gas installed, is now able to accommodate 142 coronavirus patients. The MEC said they were happy with the efficiency and quality of work. “The contractor managed to perform as per our request. It managed to finish the project a month earlier than anticipated, but most importantly it’s an SMME — the small grades we have chosen deliberately to try to give a chance to SMMEs — so he has outsmarted most of the big establishments in the province. “As you might know we have
many projects that are left unfinished by these big contractors, hence we decided to focus on small contractors because we knew they wanted to prove a point and they have done that,” he said. Madikizela said the construction company’s performance validated their decision to support SMMEs. Previously, some SMMEs had been accused of shoddy workmanship and producing substandard work. But this was not the case with
the Empilweni project. Madikizela said: “We finished the contract in record time, no violation order and not an extra cent of additional funds were requested as compared to other established contractors. So, we are very happy and we are looking forward to working with all the small contractors in the province.” Acting Empilweni Hospital CEO Sibongile Mandlana said the hospital, built in 1962, had become dilapidated with lots of cracks.
” With all the improvements it’s going to be easy for us to admit patients. The hospital is also compliant with the infection control standards,” she said. Meanwhile, work at Sir Henry Elliot Hospital in Mthatha is progressing well. The project has been divided into three phases. This is what each phase entails and the cost: ● Phase one: The scope of work includes rehabilitation of an existing unused building and electromechanical works. Once the phase, which costs R5.8m, is completed, the hospital will have 96 beds with 15 high care beds; ● Phase two: This entails the construction of a mortuary for people who might die as a result of Covid-19 complications. The project, which is expected to be finished at the end of the month is worth R2.7m; and ● Phase three: The contract is worth R6.8m and includes plumbing and drainage, thoroughfares including ramps, among others. DPWI provincial spokesperson Vuyokazi Mbanjwa said they were happy with the progress of the projects.
Eastern Cape DPWI gives Nessie Knight hospital R5m facelift The days of Nessie Knight Hospital in Qumbu being dilapidated will soon be a thing of the past as the Eastern Cape department of public works & infrastructure has given it the R5m facelift it desperately needs. For years, patients have complained about the atrocious state of the hospital in Sulenkama village. While the quality and efficiency of the health care services provided at the hospital is good, the infrastructure was not resulting in the R5.2m cash injection so it could be accommodate Covid-19 patients. Once the R5.2m project is completed, the hospital will have more than 30 hospital beds that will be used for Covid-19 patients, should the need arise. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September. The neglected Umhlobo building has been demolished and is being rebuilt by a construction company. Once completed, the new building will have 18 beds for Covid-19 patients, four of which will be for high care patients. The Umhlobo building will have: A new treatment utility; a store room; a linen room; a kit room; staff ablution facilities; showers; a
This initiative is in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
sluice room; a duty room; male and female wards; ramp and aprons; rain water goods; andelectrical, mechanical and plumbing will also be done. The male, female and TB wards are also being spruced up and will provide the hospital with 26 additional beds. The scope of the refurbishment in the three wards includes, among other aspects, plastering, plumbing, electrical work, removing and replacing floor finishes and windows, and changing doors and locks. The provincial government has been hard at work preparing hospitals and clinics in anticipation of the expected surge in the number of new coronavirus infections during August and September. DPWI provincial spokesperson Vuyokazi Mbanjwa said the new-
ly revamped wards would benefit Sulenkama long after Covid-19 had been defeated. She said the department was committed to finishing the project on time. “The work on site is progressing well though there are a few challenges. “However, the contractor and the department have agreed to have a plan and way forward to make sure that the project is finished on schedule. “Currently, the department of public works & infrastructure is focusing on the refurbishments of hospitals to avail beds that will be needed for Covid-19 patients. “It is crucial that the hospitals are made ready for this task at hand so that these rehabilitated wards are used even beyond Covid-19,” she said.