The MEC for health in Limpopo, Ms Dieketseng Mashego, officially opens the newly refurbished neonatal ward at Nkhensani Hospital in Giyani today.
A live video was shared on Facebook showing the MEC’s arrival at Nkhensani Hospital.
According to the Limpopo Department of Health, the upgraded facility stands as a bold intervention aimed at improving maternal and neonatal outcomes while easing pressure on referral hospitals.
The new neonatal ward boasts a 20-bed capacity for newborns and a 12-bed ward for mother lodgers.
It ensures that mothers can remain close to their babies during critical stages of care.
The new neonatal ward is equipped with modern medical infrastructure, with each bed fitted with essential gas points, including oxygen, medical air, and vacuum systems.
In addition, the ward includes six high-care beds, designed to support critically ill newborns that require advanced monitoring and treatment.
During the handover, MEC Mashego emphasized that the new facility will reduce unnecessary referrals to Letaba hospitals and other regional and tertiary institutions. She said it will allow more patients to receive quality care closer to home.
“The investment we are making here is not only in infrastructure, but it is also for the future of our children and the dignity of our healthcare system, this ward will ensure that our newborns receive the care they deserve right here at Nkhensani,” said Mashego.
The neonatal unit will also be strengthened through ongoing specialist support via outreach programmes from a regional hospital, enhancing the quality of care and clinical expertise available at the facility.
According to the statement, with the province’s continuous investment in healthcare infrastructure, the people of Giyani and surrounding areas can now look forward to enhanced neonatal care, reduced patient transfers and improved health outcomes for both mothers and their newborns.
Sub-Editor: Mathibeng Cheryll
