JUST one day after opening its doors, Ekhaya Private Hospital in Galeshewe welcomed its first two patients, who were rushed to the facility for emergency medical treatment.

Jubilation filled the Galeshewe air on January 8 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, following years of renovations and improvements made to the former guest house that was converted into a hospital in the heart of the location by local businessman Karel Phentela.

The hospital boasts 27 beds for the medical and psychiatric units and is even fitted with a gym for psychiatric patients.

Hospital spokesperson Mercia Mbayimbayi said the facility aims to deliver affordable private health-care services to the residents of Galeshewe.

“This project took some years to come to fruition. We have tackled the renovations in different phases. This completed phase, phase 1, entailed converting the buildings that were on the property to comply with the National Health Act. We renovated the front building into the medical unit and the back building into the psychiatric ward,” said Mbayimbayi.

“The second phase will entail the completion of the second floor of the medical unit. The theatres, a mother-child unit and a high-care unit will be located on that floor. The second phase will mainly consist of developing additional buildings from the foundation. The first phase consists of the general ward, an emergency unit, labs and other auxiliary services, kitchens, an administration block, the psychiatric unit with the activity rooms, rest areas, and wards.”

Mbayimbayi said that staff have been hired and that ongoing renovations will not disrupt operations.

“We have appointed staff as we are executing to admit patients. In terms of the rest of the phases, we do not foresee that it will have a big impact on our patient admissions and care. The hospital will be operating for 24 hours daily and there will be a doctor on duty during these hours.”

She added that psychiatric patients will be admitted on referral.

“Once a patient is referred by a general practitioner (GP), they will undergo evaluation by a psychiatrist and a psychologist before being admitted. If a patient is admitted, they will undergo different activities. We gave the rooms a home-like feeling as we did not fit the rooms for patients with hospital beds. There is also a gym where they can go and exercise.”

Mbayimbayi also highlighted the hospital's role in improving the local economy by creating job opportunities.

“The majority of the employees, including the general staff, are from this area. Many of the people were unemployed and this hospital granted them an opportunity to provide for their families. They also do not have to travel far distances to make it to work,” she said with a smile.

Mbayimbayi concluded by expressing pride in the facility’s significance. “There are private GP offices in this area, but there is no hospital or psychiatric unit. This is a first for this area that is so rich in history. We are thrilled that this initiative is located in Galeshewe,” she said.

One of the hospital’s first patients, Sam Ruiters from Phuthanang, expressed his gratitude for the new facility.

“I had a very sore throat and could not sleep. I later alerted the ambulance and they asked me which hospital I normally go to. I told them that I usually go to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe or Mediclinic. They then told me that there was a private hospital in the location. I did not know about the hospital and agreed that they should take me to Ekhaya. The service I received was very good and fast. There were no queues when we arrived and the medical staff immediately assisted me. There were some challenges with my medical aid, but the staff still assisted me. I am happy that there is a hospital located close by that can assist with medical emergencies and we no longer have to travel far for medical help,” said Ruiters.

Van Rensburg Pathology (VRP) Lancet Laboratories in Kimberley wished Ekhaya Private Hospital well in their operations.

“We would like to congratulate Ekhaya on their opening and wish them all the best. We applaud them for their vision to bring quality health-care services to the residents in Galeshewe,” they stated.