Essex pump clean-up project
During the September water meeting attended by Hoedspruit Chamber/Sakekamer (HCS), the Department of Defence made an urgent request for the Essex water pump station to be cleaned up as a preventative measure to minimise the chances of future failure. The plant overgrowth around the station has reached alarming levels and stones and vegetation had collected around the inlet grids, which would cause issues if left unattended.
HCS raised their hand as a volunteer to have the cleaning work done, as the Department of Public Works (DPW) could not attend to it as a matter of urgency.
The project plan was shared with the community, and requests for sponsorship was put out. In true Hoedspruit spirit, the community and businesses jumped in to get the resources and tools necessary to get the job done.
The start of the project was delayed due to rainy weather. The teams eventually went in on Tuesday, 17th October, and completed all the work by that Thursday. On Friday, HCS and Colonel Gherbavaz from AFB Hoedspruit did a site inspection. The transformation was amazing. Everyone did such a great job and the area and inlet were restored to an acceptable functional state.
The hope is that DPW will commit itself and not neglect the pre-emptive maintenance going forward. HCS would like to take the opportunity to thank all the wonderful sponsors volunteers that got involved: AFB Hoedspruit and Col. Gherbevaz for the daily lunch packs, Le Bamba for the cooldrinks and water, Maruleng Local Municipality for the use of their TLB, Matts and the team from Bergvlei Farm, Jaco and the team from Sable Tours, Craig from Paintsmiths, Kruger2Canyon News and Kitcor for the cooler bags, Dave Berry, Emil Scheepers Prokureurs, Marianne, Belinda Blignaut, Kitcor, Brian Brink, Sue and Peter Greef, Deon Pansegrouw and all the anonymous people that donated money towards tools, PPE and fuel.
The surplus funds were donated towards the ongoing pothole projects in and around town.
A very special thank you goes out to Marie Helm and Barney van Dyk, for coordinating and managing the project. Their dedication is awe inspiring and they have, and will always be, invaluable assets to our town and its people.
Our next projects will focus on other areas that need urgent attention, and will include the oxidation pond overgrowth in Drakensig, and the sewerage pump cleanup in Leguan street. Jaco Scheepers from Sable Tours has pro-actively built “contraptions” to assist with the work, and funds are required to cover those costs.
If individuals or businesses want to get involved, contact Lizmari on 083 459 0526. Donations can be made to the following bank account using the reference ‘PONDS’: Hoedspruit Chambers, FNB Hoedspruit, account number 63040356148.
Hoedspruit Private Hospital – a pinnacle of medical excellence
The Project Manager, Carien Taute, of the Hoedspruit Private Hospital invited auxiliary service providers in Hoedspruit to attend an information session on 20 October 2023. The agenda included discussing specialists already committed to the Hoedspruit Private Hospital, the Hoedspruit Medical Complex layout, and lease information for interested physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, speech therapists, psychologists and more. The Hoedspruit Medical Complex is a separate building adjacent to the hospital. It will be designed to accommodate a newly built Ampath Laboratory, interested specialists, general practitioners, dentists and auxiliary service providers.
Questions were asked, and information shared on the auxiliary services that will be available.
This follows the recently published design renderings on Facebook that was extremely well received by the public. The design captures the look and feel of a traditional medical establishment, while representing the allure of bushveld living. The interior design and layout is well thought out and professional. These are some of the questions asked:
Q: Which specialists have been appointed and are there any further that will join the team?
A: There will be full time and visiting specialists. Some have been confirmed and others still need to be confirmed or need to be sourced. Enquiries from all providers that might be interested in filling the unconfirmed specialities, are welcomed. Confirmed specialists include orthopaedic surgeon, OBGYN, general surgeon, paediatrician, anaesthetists, intensivist and emergency medicine. Confirmed visiting specialists include a paediatrician, maxilla facial and oral surgeon, pain clinic, nephrologist, pulmonologist, orthopaedic surgeon, intensivist and neurosurgeon. Negotiations and outstanding appointments are ophthalmologist, OBGYN, paediatrician, general surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon, physician, ENT, dermatologist, cardiologist, urologist, and plastic surgeon.
Q: What facilities will be available?
A: The Hoedspruit Hospital will have 62 beds, which include 4 ICU beds, 4 NNICU beds, 3 delivery beds, wards, 24/7 emergency unit, radiology, 4 theatres, radiology and consulting rooms for specialists working fulltime in the hospital. The Hoedspruit Medical Complex will offer an Ampath Laboratory and consulting rooms for interested specialists, general practitioners, dentists and auxiliary service providers.
There will also be a rehabilitation area for patients who will have access to multiple post-surgery disciplines to assist in the recovery process. The hospital will also be fully solar powered with a backup generator in case of emergency.
Q: What is some information on the layout and lease information for auxiliary services?
A: The medical complex will have dedicated doctor’s rooms and shareable session rooms for disciplines that may require it. Service providers can specify how they want to use a space and outfit the space with their own furniture, décor, etc. The spaces start from 25m² and the cost is around R160 p/m² and an added cost of R10 p/m² for access to the solar system. Consulting rooms will be open from Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 5pm, but service providers may do longer hours. Interested parties wanting more information can contact Carien on 083 630 3607 or email her on carien@buzztzn.co.za
Q: Will the hospital be opened in phases?
A: No, the hospital will be completed and then opened. The estimated opening date (all thngs being equal) will be towards the end of 2024. Updates on the time schedule will be shared with the public.
Q: How many jobs will the hospital create?
A: The precise number is currently hard to commit to. The aim is to start recruiting management level staff about 6 months before opening, and then general staff about 3 months before opening. This will allow ample time to train all staff.
Q: Will the opening of the hospital impact negatively on other medical professionals in Hoedspruit?
A: Absolutely not. Local service providers have been approached to relocate if they should choose to. No-one is under any obligation – they can stay where they are and still work in the hospital as and when necessary. The hospital is also an attraction of outside patients who seek high quality, comprehensive, specialist medical care, which was not previously available in our area. This will focus attention on the existing high-quality professionals as well and increase local referrals and after care services.
Q: What other benefits will there be from having a hospital in town?
A: Apart from the multiple new specialists and emergency unit, or becoming a prominent medical care facility in our part of the province, another important benefit is medical aid benefits for patients. Many consumers cannot afford full medical aid and resort to hospital plans for emergency medical care. In-hospital benefits will then be affected where someone will not be afforded the same courtesy if they visit a doctor/specialist out of hospital. Now patients can enjoy that benefit right here in Hoedspruit. The hospital also provides an invaluable new attribute for investor consideration in our town.
Q: Hoedspruit water and sewerage infrastructure are currently buckling under the pressure of development, and further approvals from Maruleng Municipality. Will this project add more pressure?
A: No. The hospital will receive its water from the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate and will also have an additional reservoir. The development has been approved by the Maruleng Municipality – they will communicate any additional requirements that may impact on the town’s water requirements in the next 50 years, to the officials that are currently working on plans for the infrastructure. The hospital will also have their own sewage plant and treatment facility.
