The hospital’s existing paediatric surgery clinic currently draws people from across sub-Saharan Africa for its world-class care, however the facilities required essential improvement to serve the catchment area of 10m people.
The new clinic, designed by global private hospital group, Mediclinic, will boast world-class facilities, allowing patients to receive the highest level of care, privacy and dignity. The surgery will cater for infants and children up to the age of 10 years with paediatric surgical conditions, and is committed to accepting all patients through its doors.
Gauteng health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, lauded the collaboration as a key milestone: “This is a great initiative which shows what can be achieved when the private sector joins hands with us in the public service. As the Gauteng government we are grateful to both GSK and Surgeons for Little Lives for choosing to partner with us on this historic venture. This facility will not only benefit local residents, but the entire country as the hospital gets referrals across the nation. We are thrilled that the new paediatric surgery outpatient clinic will expand our ability to improve our duty of care and the number of patients treated in our department of paediatric surgery."
The two-level facility is designed to support 2,000 outpatients and 300 inpatients per month while also providing a sleep-over facility for caregivers, which will decrease stress and anxiety for both parents and children, allowing families to use the laundry facility to contribute towards the care of their children while also providing additional support for the nurses.
Dave Thomas, general manager and vice president for Southern African, GSK says: “Improving access to healthcare services for poor communities is our priority. We are excited to work with the Gauteng department of health and Surgeons for Little Lives to help strengthen the healthcare infrastructure. Our investment in Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and the launch of this new parental sleep-over facility is a critical step in supporting the treatment and care of children in South Africa,” he concluded.
In addition to the facilities for patients and their families, the new paediatric surgery clinic is also designed to be a space conducive to training, forming the clinical and academic hub of the management of patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The department of paediatric surgery, University of the Witwatersrand is the leading and largest training facility for paediatric surgeons in sub-Saharan Africa.
Professor Jerome Loveland, chairman of the board, Surgeons for Little Lives (SFLLs) says:“Together with the department of health and GSK, we are working on this particular project to overcome infrastructural and capacity challenges within the South African healthcare system. This new paediatric surgery clinic is a welcome addition to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and will play an important role in improving access to quality healthcare for children."
