Staff Reporter
The basement parking space at the Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein has been converted into a new ward for COVID-19 patients that was officially opened by Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela today.
Known as the Tumelo Ward to signify hope, the new setting has an expanded space for 103 beds and 60 high-care beds underneath Idhalia House.
Ntombela said the initiative is part of continued efforts by the province to ensure adequate beds are available as economic activity gradually increases, posing a higher risk of more infections.
“. . . our current hospital structures across the province will inevitably take a huge amount of strain in terms of beds and capacity,” said the premier, who was accompanied by Health MEC Montseng Tsiu.
Ntombela said similar bed space expansions are set to be undertaken at Pelonomi Hospital, the Bloemfontein Showgrounds, Bongani Hospital in Welkom and in other parts of the province.
“Soon, we will officially open a new ward at Pelonomi Hospital, here in Bloemfontein, and Bongani Hospital in Welkom, and it is our wish that we prepare all districts of our province against this invisible enemy called COVID-19,” she said.
“We will soon also officially open the doors to a field hospital, to be established at the Bloemfontein Showgrounds.”
Ntombela said the first phase of the field hospital will initially accommodate 936 beds and, upon completion, it could carry up to 4 252 beds.
To meet the increased work demand, the provincial government has also hired more nursing personnel, support staff, social workers, physiotherapists, radiographers, household aides and clerks.
“These measures are also (taken) with the future in mind,” the premier said.
“The equipment to be utilised and health personnel to form part of these processes will be retained to strengthen our healthcare system well beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Latest figures indicate that 29 578 people have contracted the disease in the Free State, with 14 522 having recovered while about 414 people have died.
Of that number, 1 786 healthcare workers were infected and about 1 296 have recovered from the acute respiratory disease.
At least 24 healthcare workers – including doctors, nurses and medical support staff – have succumbed to COVID-19 in the province.
Nationally, a total of 27 360 healthcare workers contracted the disease, 16 005 have recovered and 240 have died.